AWD Prop shaft replacement.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 18 Dec 2011, 18:10

I had been experiencing a rough vibration in my 2000 v70 xc. It was at its worst between 30-45mph. However, it vibrated at all speeds. After cleaning the wheels off myself, then having the pros ballance my tires, the vibration was still there. I brought it into a independent volvo mechanic. They found play in my rear drive line (prop shaft). The play was in the front of the shaft. Seems like this is the usual. I took the shaft off myself, and the vibration is gone. I have not had much time to look at things since, but examined the shaft today. I find no play in the shaft that I took off. does this mean the the problem was in front of that? Should I be able to find play in the prop shaft after I took it off. I have to have my awd as I live at 9200 feet in the rockies. I found the colorado drive shaft website. they also advertise that they could fit you with new ends for this shaft too.
I would just like to know how I can tell if it is the joint on the front of this shaft. The play in the shaft was deffinetly due to the front end of it. I guess I just expected that if I pulled off the shaft I would find something noticeably wrong with it.

As always,
Thanks for your help.
VolvoLove

Post by **holler1** » 18 Dec 2011, 19:46

I assume you took loose the 6 bolts that connect the shaft to the bevel gear flange. The front of the shaft has a CV joint that often fails. One thing to look for at this joint is grease loss from the boot and/or a break in the boot. Mine didn't have a lot of play in the front coupling, but it did have some and was noticeably off center. It had a bad boot and was throwing grease out. I replaced the CV joint first, but it failed again after a couple of years, and I then got a rebuilt shaft from Colorado Driveshaft. You might also want to check the center bearing.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 18 Dec 2011, 20:15

[img][img][/img][/img]I took the six bolts loose on either end of the shaft. Also the two bolts to release the bearing. Bearing seams good. The Boot is bad on the front. I was thinking of a boot that would go over the whole joint, but this boot is not very visibly. it is practically identical on either end. I have pictures I will try to upload. So, I now know that the front joint IS BAD. I guess I was just worried that it would be a problem in front of the joint. So, for now, I suppose I will shoot for a new shaft or just rebuild the front from colorado drive shaft. I live 40 miles from denver too, so I am hoping I can save some money on shipping!

Thanks again.
nick

Post by **holler1** » 19 Dec 2011, 07:16

If I were that close to Denver, I think I would just drive it in and ask CD to look at it.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 19 Dec 2011, 10:38

Yeah, I called them today. I am sure that the front joint is bad. The bearing, U-joint, and back joint are all functioning. They do sell a kit to repair just the front joint for about $115 and will install it for you for $130 total. I think I read people on here finding the joint repair kit for over $200. The U-joint does seem kind of crusty, w/ no way to add grease. I will bring the shaft in and see what they think of the bearing and Ujoint. he quoted me at $400 for the shaft if I pick it up. They said they are selling them for $475 now. If I pay $400 it still saves me $350 from having the independent volvo mechanic do this for me.
Thanks again Matthewsvolvosite. I do need my AWD as you can see by my profile pic I just uploaded. I did take pictures of the removal, and when I replace the shaft, I will try to put together a full write up on this repair, even though it is simple and straight forward. (Not rebuilding the shaft, but removing and replacing.) I will let yall know how it goes.

Post by **holler1** » 19 Dec 2011, 17:18

volvolove,
You may have seen it already, but there is a fairly recent thread on this topic with some pictures I added of an old and rebuilt shaft and a few of taking it out.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=35820

Yeah, from the profile picture you do need the AWD out there. My daughter is heading to Denver after Christmas and will be spending some time around Vail and Breckenridge in early 2012. Hope the snow holds off a bit; she doesn't have AWD.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 19 Dec 2011, 18:51

Great. Thanks for the link holler. I had come across that earlier, but was having trouble finding it again. By the way, did you block up all 4 wheels and have the shifter in neutral in order to be able to turn the shaft for better access to all bolts? Foolishly, I drove up on ramps, and jacked up the back two wheels only to realize the fault in my plan. I was able to remove the bolts anyway, but am going to do it right when I put it back on. I used a ratchet w/ 6mm allen head, and I also used an allen wrench for better access. Another trick I used was to take the allen head, which was attached to a coupling w/ a quarter inch drive(not sure if I'm describing that correctly), off of the ratchet, and use a 1/4 inch wrench to turn it. That gave me better access then the ratchet did. If I had the 1/4 wrench w/ the ratchet built into the box end, it would have done wonders. Just a couple tips for the next guy.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 19 Dec 2011, 18:56

And good luck to your daughter. Front wheel drive does wonders in the snow too. I was comfortable w/ our front wheel drive up here, but the road to our house gets real steep and slick. Steep, slick, and going around sharp curves made it difficult. A friend of mine lives in the breck/vail area. He drives a 2wd ford Ranger! He gets around fine w/ some weight and studded tires. I'd say good tires are the main thing. They don't have to be snow tires or studded tires, just have some tread!

Post by **holler1** » 19 Dec 2011, 20:29

I can't recall for sure which wheels I had off the ground. I think the front wheels, maybe all four, but I was able to turn the shaft to get access. As I understand the system, the front axles are close-coupled to the front-to-rear driveshaft (properly called the propshaft) thru the bevel gear, but the rear axles are somewhat loosely coupled thru the viscous coupler. The VC controls when the rear wheels get power. So, as I recall, if you turn one front wheel, the propshaft turns and the other front wheel turns the other way. This is a little fuzzy in my memory. I do remember the 1/4" ratchet being too wide to get a good 90 degree angle on the Allen bolts. I think I just used a long extension with the ratchet. I also had to pound the Allen socket in a few times to make sure it was seated and avoid stripping the bolts.

Personally, I like the AWD drive a lot. It seems to me to make the car more stable-no wheel spin etc. We live in a slightly hilly neighborhood with no snow removal, and it walks up our hill really well, much better than an FWD car.

I just got a used set of Michelin X-ice snow tires last week to put on my daughter's Corolla when she comes thru here for Christmas, so she should be OK with those going to Colorado. They were only used one season so almost all the tread is there. She expects to move back East next summer so they don't have to last a long time. Meanwhile I'll have a stack of tires in my garage. I offered to loan her the AWD Volvo but she likes her car, and I'm sensing a possible trans cooler line leak in the Volvo anyway.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 30 Dec 2011, 16:54

SO I got my propshaft from Colorado Driveshaft down in Denver last week. Got it for 400 since I didn't have to ship it. The guy also gave me the choice of getting one with a removable/serviceable U joint. This way if the bearing ever goes out, I can replace that too.
When I put it back on I found that in order to be able to turn the shaft that i needed one wheel on the front and one wheel on the back off the ground. Still took me over an hour. the trickiest part is the front of the shaft. It is just more hidden under things. Getting the first bolt started took a little bit, trying to line it up without being able to see. Other than that, pretty smooth. Wear safety glasses if you have some. That helped a lot.
Thanks again for the help guys.