Axle coming out of transmission housing!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 03 Apr 2023, 15:50

Greetings all,

While doing some under the motor cleaning/maintenance, I noticed a lot of fluid on the left underside of the motor. Turns out the driver's side axle is creeping out of the transmission housing...there's about a quarter inch of space between the housing the section of the axle that sits against the housing.

I remember having trouble getting the axle in after cleaning up the CV joint and replacing the grease and rubber. I replaced the seal (output seal?) in the housing that the axle goes through, but had some trouble getting the axle back in. Back then, I had come across a YouTube video about putting on some axle grease on the end of the axle to ease its insertion to the transmission housing. That worked like a charm!

But now there's this added space and fluid coming out, and is all over the back end of the subframe. Not sure if hitting multiple deep potholes has created this or if something else has come loose. I got out my torque ratchet and 36 mm socket and tried to tighten the axle nut, but it was at specs. There has been more noise coming from that side of the motor in the recent weeks.

Should I inspect the control arm, hub, wheel bearing, sway bar links?? Not sure what to check first.
Appreciate your thoughts!

Post by **scot850** » 03 Apr 2023, 19:26

It could be the axle has come out of the spring clip groove. Raise the wheel and use it to help give you leverage and try pushing the axle back in and see if it catches this time. If it does not, yo may have to buy a new Volvo spring clip and re-install the axle. I had one do the same, but in my case the car just stopped moving!

Neil.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 04 Apr 2023, 14:15

Thanks for your reply and suggestions scot850!

I ended up having to remove the tire, loosen and remove the control arms bolts, and remove the axle nut. The axle was tough to extract but eventually got it out. There did not seem to be anything wrong with the circlip, but when I reinstalled the axle, it would only go in so far. There is still a gap between the transmission housing and the large circular part of the axle that is below the threads. It does not seem to want to go in any further. Makes me wonder if the seal is too far in the housing or that the seal needs to be replaced (installed this new seal about 3 years ago)....Any thoughts?

I'll post some pictures.

Post by **scot850** » 04 Apr 2023, 14:29

Is this an original Volvo axle or aftermarket? If aftermarket it is likely the issue with the shape of the circlip to hold the axle in the transmission as I suggested before. You may be able to force it in as long as you hope to never have to remove it again! Otherwise get a Volvo circlip for the axle.

Unless you nicked the axle seal, it is probably ok. Check for damage around the seating area of the seal.

Neil.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 04 Apr 2023, 15:39

: circlip; IMG_0134.JPEG (288.15 KiB) Viewed 589 times

: after re-installing axle; IMG_0141.JPEG (182.68 KiB) Viewed 589 times

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 04 Apr 2023, 15:41

These pic files are way to large, but I am a bit challenged in figuring out how to make them smaller!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 04 Apr 2023, 15:42

The width of the gap in 2nd pic is about the same as it was before removing the axle.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 04 Apr 2023, 16:40

Just want to confirm the torque measurements on the control arm and axle:
control arm bolts to subframe, torque 51 ft lbs plus 120 degrees
axle nut, 89 ft lbs plus 60 degrees

Let me know if its any different based on your sources, ok?
Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 05 Apr 2023, 01:20

That gap looks ok.

I don’t have the 1998 torque specs on the axle nut but the control arm torque is right. Make sure the wheel is in driving position for tha torque , lift it with a jack while torquing

Post by **scot850** » 05 Apr 2023, 10:21

Axle torque for the nut it 120Nm/89 ft/lb + 60 degrees (one flat of the nut).

Neil.