DIY: 1998 V70 Axle CV Rubber Boots Tips/Tricks

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 12 Nov 2020, 12:22

Thanks, both. Good to know I won't lose much fluid, though I suppose an excuse to do a drain and fill wouldn't go amiss. I've seen split boots plenty times, but never heard much positive feedback. If others have had success then it may be worth a try as they certainly save some effort.

The other alternative is stretch boots, but I really don't trust those and they require removal of the axle from the hub anyway.

Post by **erikv11** » 12 Nov 2020, 12:47

I've never done it on the car but it sounds like more trouble than it is worth. Removing the axle is one of the easier parts.

With the front on jackstands, same level both sides, you lose about a half quart of trans fluid by pulling the axle.

What I like to do is treat axle work as a good time to do a partial fluid exchange. Raise the front, put it level on stands, then pull the trans fluid drain plug. It will drain almost exactly 3.5 quarts. Then replace the plug and pull the axle and do that part of the job. After replacing the axle you can add 3.5 quarts back at the end so the level will be the same as when you started.

Post by **xHeart** » 12 Nov 2020, 14:15

erikv11 wrote: 07 Apr 2014, 15:18 I like to replace the seal when I pull an axle, unless I know it is relatively new.

You don't have to buy the Volvo brand to get quality on this part, it is just a rebranded SKF axle seal
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-a ... al-6843112

+1

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Nov 2020, 00:20

xHeart wrote: 12 Nov 2020, 14:15
erikv11 wrote: 07 Apr 2014, 15:18 I like to replace the seal when I pull an axle, unless I know it is relatively new.

You don't have to buy the Volvo brand to get quality on this part, it is just a rebranded SKF axle seal
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-a ... al-6843112
+1

Actually there is a mistake there, the factory axle seal is not from SKF - it is from Corteco!!

I am unable to edit my old post from 2014, update it to say Corteco.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 13 Nov 2020, 02:27

Part number for the manual seal is 6843481, still available new from Volvo in the EU. They are also Corteco seals, with a manufacturer part number of 01034065B.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 22 Nov 2020, 13:36

Some notes to add to the pile. In the case of manual cars, with the car jacked up and supported with an axle stand under the front subframe bolt you shouldn't lose any fluid. I also found that the axle was just a friction fit in the gearbox (MY96 850 T5 M56H), so a few taps on the bearing cap should free it up. For refitting it should push in with relative ease. Do not over-tighten the 12mm bolts on the bearing cap, torque spec is only 25nm (18 ft lbs).

More generally, for outer CV boot replacement, it would appear as if marking the position of the outer CV joint and the axle is unneccessary - instead you should mark the order of the balls (paint, not a file!) relative to the cage - they are the balanced parts and the parts that wear.

gdog · Post by **gdog** » 23 Jun 2026, 22:36

cn90 wrote: 20 Mar 2015, 20:32 Update: 1998 S70 GLT with 167K miles. Dealer replaced the R axle @ 130K miles using NAPA part.
The metal parts (CV joints, shaft etc.) are fine but the outer rubber boot split after some 37K miles.

If you read the above posts on VW-Audi boots, they fit perfectly on the INNER side.

In summary:

INNER BOOT:
- Use VW-Audi (1994 model 100 sedan); GKN 300597, Audi 893498201B, about $10.
L = 88mm, diameter 21mm and 82mm.

OUTER BOOT:
a. Non-Turbo: GKN 300427, Volvo 31256235
L = 84mm, diameter 22mm and 82mm.
This is what I used b/c the dealer replaced the R axle using Non-Turbo part, even though the car is Turbo.
This tells you that the axles (for Turbo vs Non-Turbo) are interchangeable.

b. Turbo: GKN 300439
L = 84mm, diameter 24mm and 92mm.
Use this only if you are absolutely sure your axle has this size.
When in doubt, jack up the car, remove the wheel and measure the diameters.

Some photos...

S70-CVBoot-01.JPG

S70-CVBoot-02.JPG

S70-CVBoot-03.JPG

Thanks cn90 and others for this great thread. But I've read through this whole thread and still have a question please:

Where are you guys measuring these CV axle diameters?

I have an original axle from my '96 850 T5 and I'm getting the following:

Passenger side, Outer Boot only (going to leave inside boot alone since it's in good shape):
Outer diameter: 94 mm
Inner diameter: 28 mm roughly
Both measured on outside diameter of axle where the boot seats. I.e.the actual boot diameter could be a bit smaller (since it will stretch) so I'm figuring I need the GKN 300439 (you guys measured the diameters at 24mm and 92mm). So where are you measuring please?

And this boot is available apparently at FCP: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... n-31256237
Noticed on description on FCP's site showing this part diameter as
Inner Diameter 1 24 mm
Inner Diameter 2 92 mm
So I assuming these are the un-stretched boot ID's; yes? Answered my own question?
Axle has volvo PN on it P9163584 FYI

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Jun 2026, 16:19

This thread is a bit of a mess with examples of way over-thinking it. You don't need to measure anything (but you can!), finding the right boot is easy if you go to the definitive post by northernlights: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64252. The part number information in the first post there has been reliably good for 10+ years.

Scroll down, you will seee it says "OEM Turbo (large CV joint) outer boot kit GKN 300439" which is indeed the part you have linked.