98 V70 CV Joint Boot - Options

Post by **oragex** » 07 Jun 2016, 08:33

You will remove the two lower strut bolts which adjust the camber. Make a small mark near the bolts on the strut to know how to put the strut back on. It's not a big adjustment (maybe 1/8"), but still.

Post by **98v70dad** » 07 Jun 2016, 13:11

oragex wrote:The split boot may glue well, but their are off poor rubber which may not last past 6 months and will crack the same as your original one.

Best is check at Volvo dealer for a boot, remove the axle and replace it asap. It won't be long until water goes inside the CV join and ruin it. Even easier, there are original used Volvo axle shafts for not much, sellers usually have a photo with the sticker which has a date stamped. There might be an original Volvo part only recently replaced.

I can get a boot kit at the dealer for $49. However, I'm starting to lean toward just replacing the whole CV axle shaft since the amount of work is essentially the same minus having to mess around with cleaning out contaminated grease, etc. I don't understand your recommendation about used Volvo axle shafts. Where would a person go to find those. Everything I see on ebay is a rebuilt one from Cardone.

Post by **98v70dad** » 07 Jun 2016, 17:24

So, now I'm leaning heavily toward just replacing the CV drive axle assembly. I found a parts store near me that carries parts from worldpac. They were recommended by someone who does Volvo maintenance and repair for a living AND puts them on his own car. $70 for a complete rebuilt CV drive axle assembly. $50.00 for the boot kit alone at the dealer. The parts guy at the dealer endorsed this place as having excellent quality parts.

So what do you guys think about a worldpac part? I'd gladly do the 20 dollar difference just to save the effort and risk of putting a new boot on an axle with an unknown level of damage due to contaminated grease from the split in the boot.

Post by **gmh** » 07 Jun 2016, 19:48

Kind of an old thread FWIW.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 32&t=41689

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Jun 2016, 00:24

Almost every replacement axle is junk. If you go that route, at the very least keep your original axle don't give it to the rebuilders who will ruin it. If you already have a junk aftermarket replacement then sure just get another.

You can get the GKN boot for about $14 online but yes at this point the wait for shipping may be inconvenient. All part numbers, sources and instructions are in the first linked threads that were posted.

Post by **98v70dad** » 08 Jun 2016, 05:21

erikv11 wrote:Almost every replacement axle is junk. If you go that route, at the very least keep your original axle don't give it to the rebuilders who will ruin it. If you already have a junk aftermarket replacement then sure just get another.

You can get the GKN boot for about $14 online but yes at this point the wait for shipping may be inconvenient. All part numbers, sources and instructions are in the first linked threads that were posted.

The current axles in the car are replacements. They are 6 years old but if the boot wasn't torn they are both still fine. I had them replaced in a brake shop so I'm confident that they aren't top quality...they're whatever the could get on short notice. The tear on the boot is pretty bad, but the material is good and tough. Whatever replacement they used has had a pretty good service life.

Yesterday I went to the dealer to check on availability of a new boot kit and he had 4 in stock. I then asked him about a VOLVO branded complete CV axle unit and he said those are very expensive (around $500). They are so expensive that I got the message that they don't use them. He then told me where the Volvo service department gets their cv axles so I went down the road to check it out. I figure the dealership service department wouldn't use junk parts because its not in their best interest. Anyhow, the part is sold by worldpac and FEQ is the brand. The manager of the little store (in an old strip mall) that carries them told me that all the repair shops use the FEQ axles and that they are far better than the one DIYers buy.

If anyone has had any experience with FEQ parts please tell me your experience. I'm planning on stopping buy tonight to buy the part.

Post by **98v70dad** » 08 Jun 2016, 05:29

gmh wrote:Kind of an old thread FWIW.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 32&t=41689

Thanks. I read that one and its kind of inconclusive, but most of the comments for the CV axles were positive. Also the thread is a little old and part quality seems to be in a state of flux these days. New information is always better....that's why I asked. Everything I found here about worldpac was a little dated.

My local dealership uses the worldpac CV axles so they must be reasonably good quality.

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Jun 2016, 07:31

Yes, no one buys new Volvo axles.

The forums are riddled with posts about problems with aftermarket axles (including those by FEQ). Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. If you have one that works, I would be very careful about replacing it.

If I needed one, I would go with a junkyard factory axle. I would be willing to drive a long way for it, before I would go aftermarket on this part. If a factory axle was in trouble I would contact Marty at raxles.com.

Post by **98v70dad** » 08 Jun 2016, 09:26

erikv11 wrote:Yes, no one buys new Volvo axles.

The forums are riddled with posts about problems with aftermarket axles (including those by FEQ). Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. If you have one that works, I would be very careful about replacing it.

If I needed one, I would go with a junkyard factory axle. I would be willing to drive a long way for it, before I would go aftermarket on this part. If a factory axle was in trouble I would contact Marty at raxles.com.

Talked with Marty earlier today. He said he ran out of 98 V70 cores so I would have to provide one. I'm looking for a used one to send him.

I called a local shop that parts out Volvo's after accidents, etc and he had a used axle to sell me that I can send to Marty to be overhauled. Marty said to make sure that its an OEM part.

Is there a way to positively identify an original VOLVO axle (drivers side) just by looking at it?

Post by **oragex** » 09 Jun 2016, 06:48

Them all have the Volvo stickers with a man date, but then again, how to make sure it wasn't already 'refurbished' by some obscure shop
There are also quite some variations depending on manual/auto transm., turbo/non turbo.. splines number vary, shaft length varies +/- half inch. Worth checking well it's the same as in the car.