1998 V70xc missing transfer case and driveshaft

[BEJinFbk]

I'd take a FWD car + SNOW tires any day over an AWD with 4-season tires.

I'd invest the money into a set of snow tires.

The AWD feature creates:
- additional cost of maintenance
- additional gasoline cost of about $400 per year based on a 10K miles/year calculation.

I guess it really comes down to what you need in your conditions.

I ran All Seasons with AWD for years on my car and I can truly say that
my R with AWD and Triple Treds was a very capable winter car here in Fairbanks.
I had no serious trouble with blowing snow, nasty hills and icy intersections.
Spreading torque over more contact patches makes a huge difference.

I've got plenty of miles on FWD's, RWD's, 4x4's with snows - Studded and non studded.
Most FWD's are essentially one wheel drive lumps with torque steer. You can keep it.

RWD's are fun to drift but come with their own set of problems. 4x4s need the right
size tires. Way too many around here with rubber way too wide - Fun to Watch, though!
( I was lucky enough to spend a few years with an '85 1/2 ton 'burb equipped with tall skinny
Bridgestone X's - That thing was a beast! And it had an unbelievable set of heaters,
but the gas mileage was abysmal...)

AWD P80 - Extra maintenance? Not that much.
More Gas? A little, but you get what you pay for!
Torque steer? Nonexistant.

But why mess around?
Stop by some time and I'll take you for a ride in an R
on our plate ice with AWD and studded Nokians. AWD ROCKS!

[Big Will]

The only problem here is that you can't really verify that the viscous coupling is functioning properly without having the driveshaft and a properly working angle gear installed.
I'm obviously a huge fan of the AWD but just be aware that you may have to replace three big ticket items at once!

There's no way to check the viscous coupler? The rear CV axles look okay and I don't remember seeing anything leaking or seeping at the rear diff. I was getting ready to do struts all around but now I'm not sure. I don't want to spend another dime if I'm not going ahead with the transfer case/ driveshaft.

There is a way to check the VC but it involves placing a torque spanner on one of the front hubs with the wheel off the ground and measuring a constant torque value. This assumes (and requires) that you have the driveshaft in place and also assumes the angle gear is functioning properly or the results would be skewed or not possible in the case of a missing driveshaft.

It's of course possible that there's nothing wrong with your viscous coupling. There isn't really any maintenance to do on it aside from a roller bearing in the case (torque tube) that holds the VC and the bushing on the torque tube where it mounts to the body. Neither of those really has any impact on the VC itself in terms of function.

[cn90]

I do have a 2005 XC90 AWD that I put snow tires in the winter, so I know what it is.

Depending on where one lives, if the need for AWD is small, fixing it is expensive.
The easier solution is snow tires on separate rims. That is why I said that.

[shiloh51933]

I do have a 2005 XC90 AWD that I put snow tires in the winter, so I know what it is.

Depending on where one lives, if the need for AWD is small, fixing it is expensive.
The easier solution is snow tires on separate rims. That is why I said that.

I looked under car only to verify driveshaft was removed, I couldn't really see up front. I've never seen the transfer case removed on a running V70xc. Anyway I'm in agreement with ur post if I buy used parts I can always get a refund if there's an issue. I'd say I'd do it on the cheap but it's never cheap. Either way rear struts need replacing and I'm gonna have to decide quickly cause winter is basically here. Thanks for all the replies.

[JRL]

. There isn't really any maintenance to do on it aside from a roller bearing in the case (torque tube) that holds the VC and the bushing on the torque tube where it mounts to the body. Neither of those really has any impact on the VC itself in terms of function.

Not quite true
I had some minor vibrations starting, finally replaced those two, bushing/bearing, and it's now quiet, smooth and as new again

[shiloh51933]

I don't see how or why this was done unless transfer case was shot and previous owner was being cheap.

This is the obvious answer. I must say, that is a fascinating method for holding the AWD drive collar between the transmission and the transfer case in place. My guess is that the transfer case was the root of the original problem.

You will obviously need a prop shaft and the case to even try to get the AWD working again. I would test the viscous coupler first before you spend any more money on getting that part going again.

...Lee

I'm thinking about getting the prop shaft and the case to give it a go ahead since everything in rear looks okay. I just ordered new rear shocks from FCP yesterday since the shocks are toast. As long as the rear suspension rides properly after installation I'll get started on the AWD system.