v70 manual - reverse R is gone after accidentally engaging instead of 4th?

bg212 · Post by **bg212** » 02 Jul 2022, 19:03

So accidentally, instead of 4th gear, at about 35mph, the car was put into reverse. Releasing the clutch was accompanied by a loud grinding noise. That happened twice before person realized it was not 4th.

So now the reverse does not work. Releasing the clutch, something click in the tranny, the car does not move.
Even while not in motion, with the released clutch, you can easily put it into reverse.
I would not think the splines on gears are sheared, as that grinding noise indicated the splines did not engage even when the clutch was released.

2001 v70 t5 (must be a m56 transmission).
I maintained the car rigorously myself for many years. Feels bad.
Any tips?

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 03 Jul 2022, 16:05

No responses yet so I'll chime in.
1. I'm not a transmission expert, but I have been working on cars since 1974 and spent 28 years in the International automotive industry as a product development engineer/manager/director. I may be dangerous with what I don't know...but I have owned a 2001 T5 5 speed (M56) since 2001.
2. I'm assuming all forward gears are still working properly. Just reverse doesn't engage.
3. With the car moving forward in 3rd gear @ 2000-3000 rpm's, the driver tried to make a low speed gear go in the opposite direction twice. I'd surmise reverse gear teeth are busted. All it takes is a few .
4. I think you are going to need a used transmission or need a transmission specialist tear it down to determine why the reverse gear isn't engaging. Tough decision for a 21 YO car.

If you drain your manual transmission oil, you may get a idea of how much metal is floating around in the transmission.

Good luck. Hate to see a Volvo classic head to the JY.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Jul 2022, 17:19

I’ve yet to find anyone on the internet in North America who rebuilds these or a source of internal M56 parts

It’s a Borg Warner build.

I think sourcing a used one would best

Post by **abscate** » 03 Jul 2022, 17:22

I never searched under BW…..I’ll be GD!

https://www.borgwarnertransmissionspecialist.com/

Oooof, Cardiff might be a bit far

bg212 · Post by **bg212** » 03 Jul 2022, 23:39

thanks for replying all. Yes, I started looking at dismantlers / junkyards listings for a used gearbox. I think it is the only option.

Post by **jonesg** » 04 Jul 2022, 00:32

Try erie volvo in NY.
https://www.erievovo.com/

bg212 · Post by **bg212** » 04 Jul 2022, 13:51

^^ they don't have it. But thanks anyway.

I yesterday found one in Sacramento and placed an online order. Hope to pick up tomorrow. It has 100k miles less than my car (> 240k).

I tried today driving it. I should say the rest of the gears are not the same as well (i.e. occasionally much harder to engage, or something clunking going into the gear). The 5th is briefly grinding when put into it and when the clutch is fully depressed.

To be fair, the last few years I observed some deterioration in shifting quality, i.e. it's like gears slightly catch some metal edge when shifting in. Even though I did trans fluid flush, and it got better (i.e. second was hesitating going in), the net result was negative. So, hope everything is for the good.

Also, I haven't done transmission before, so naturally have questions:
* do I need to replace something along the way, like rear main seal? Anything else comes to mind while I am there?
* the clutch - (on Acura, or BMW e46 it's a self-adjusting clutch) is it self-adjusting on Volvo? I.e. would I need to somehow re-setting it before re-installing?

Or any tips are welcome (i'll search the forums too).

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 04 Jul 2022, 15:51

Once again, not an expert, but if you are going to drop the transmission, definitely replace the clutch and rear main seal if not done earlier.

Hopefully someone with manual transmission experience will chime in.

sebrenite · Post by **sebrenite** » 07 Jul 2022, 16:02

bg212 wrote: ↑04 Jul 2022, 13:51 Or any tips are welcome (i'll search the forums too).

I have not worked on this transmission, but many universals apply, such as:

-Rear main seal (Cheap insurance)
-Release bearing and clutch slave cylinder (Replace or inspect and grease as Volvo recommends)
-Pilot bearing
-Transmission fluid
-CV driveshaft seals for differential (inspect/replace CV boots if needed)
-Axle bolts (don't forget dust seals)

You can measure the clutch/plates to see if they are within spec. Many will say to just get a clutch kit that includes some of the above ( Release bearing, pilot bearing)

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/6754/Cl ... 314-114755

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/vol ... h+kit,1993

Look for a kit with everything including grease and alignment dowel.

bg212 · Post by **bg212** » 10 Jul 2022, 21:26

Yep, I got everything: Valeo clutch, seals, etc except dust seals. But I need to make a trip to a dealership for one bolt and a clutch line o-ring (those need to be replaced among many others bolts / nuts), so will get dust seals too.

I don't think there is a release bearing on v70, as the slave clutch cylinder is internal, vs external (like on BMW) with a fork and a release bearing.

I also purchased a new DMF flywheel which needs to be replaced when the clutch is replaced (and my car has over > 240k miles so it must be long due). However, I purchased LUK which is not the most expensive one, but I used LUK SMF/clutch on BMW (which is OEM for BMW) and have no complains.