1999 xc70 awd missing driveshaft

99xc70 · Post by **99xc70** » 14 Dec 2013, 10:10

Bought the car used and the drive shaft is missing making the car only front wheel drive. What would I check for before buying a drive shaft to make it awd. Does anyone know of a shop in northern Westchester NY who could do the job. I am not a big fan of dealers.

Post by **mikealder** » 14 Dec 2013, 11:34

The AWD models had at least three different prop shaft lengths depending upon model and year so you will need to accurately measure between the two faces it bolts to. Also ensure the prop center bearing carrier bracket is still attached to the underside of the car, it sits about 3' back from the coupling on the gearbox where the prop would attach to - Mike

Post by **Pauloil** » 14 Dec 2013, 20:59

talk to these guys

http://www.coloradodriveshaft.com/volvo.htm

ThommyKent · Post by **ThommyKent** » 15 Dec 2013, 21:20

The driveshaft was taken out because the bevel drive had failed or was about to. You`ll need way more than just the drive shaft to make it AWD. You unfortunately had someone who was less than honest sell you the car.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 15 Dec 2013, 23:25

ThommyKent wrote:The driveshaft was taken out because the bevel drive had failed or was about to. You`ll need way more than just the drive shaft to make it AWD. You unfortunately had someone who was less than honest sell you the car.

You could be right about that, but you're making a lot of assumptions...

There are a ton of posts about the AWD systems in these cars. It's true
that many have been abused, especially by using mismatched tires, but
there are also folks out there that just remove the driveshaft in an attempt
to improve gas mileage. In the OP's case, it could be either of these extremes
or plenty of other things in between. You won't know what's really going on
without doing some research and spending some time checking the system out.

As stated, there are differing parts between 98, 99 and 00's. Great stuff here:
http://v70r.com/forums/topic/33058-98-0 ... ntry122715

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 15 Dec 2013, 23:28

ThommyKent wrote:The driveshaft was taken out because the bevel drive had failed or was about to. You`ll need way more than just the drive shaft to make it AWD. You unfortunately had someone who was less than honest sell you the car.

And exactly how do you know that? The bearings on the shafts often fail (the front bearing mostly), and in that case it is a simple matter to replace either the entire shaft or just the bearings.

To the OP:
Pauloil's advice is good - call Colorado Driveshaft with your VIN. Once you have a driveshaft and mounting hardware it is a very simple job to put it in - any mechanic can to it in about 20 minutes. Of course It is possible that the driveshaft was taken out because something else was wrong, but you won't know that until you get the new shaft in.

Things that could cause the driveshaft to be taken out: Viscous Coupling (caused by running mismatched tires or incorrect towing), bevel/angle gear, and of course bad driveshaft joints. Tons of information on this board about the issue.

Post by **JRL** » 16 Dec 2013, 06:19

1st reason, bad propshaft u-joint(s)
2nd reason, bad bevel gear'
3rd reason, bad VC coupler

There are three different propshafts.
They fit:
1:Early 98
2:Late 98 and 99
3:2000

Cannot be interchanged

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 16 Dec 2013, 08:05

+1 for Colorado Driveshaft!

sawtooth4x4 · Post by **sawtooth4x4** » 16 Dec 2013, 09:29

mine was missing as well. i got a really good one out of the junkyard.

i was going to install it, but the bolts hold that little cross-member in have stripped out. I'm pretty sure the center-bearing on the original one went bad. there were dents all over the metal under the cross member.

I'm going to have to do some cutting and welding to that cross-member someday.