2000 V70XC AWD 2wd conversion: rearend removal?

[scot850]

Check the bearing at the front of the VC unit. These go bad and give you the problem you are hearing. When I had the bearing replaced in my 98 V70 XC, once the VC front flange was removed, the ball bearings fell out as the bearing had disintegrated. The mechanic had a devil of a job getting the the outer section out using a long punch.

Otherwise, it could be a bad rear wheel bearing, but you would notice that more if you turn the car one way and the other it loads up the bearing and makes it loader on the failing side.

Neil.

[scot850]

When the prop-shaft is already off, I take 2 bolts of the correct thread, and put them opposite each other and use a long pry bar to 'lock' the rotation of the VC unit to allow the 6 rear shaft to diff shaft bolts to be loosened. Once you have removed the 6 bolts, loosen the front bush bolt almost all the way to allow the VC housing and diff to tilt forward and down to give you access to the top 2 casing bolts. I use a 14mm (? fairly sure it is 14mm) 3/8" drive short socket as there are 2 ribs on the casing then will lock a 1/2" drive short socket after 2-3 turns. I use a long reach extension shaft or a couple of short ones connected together to give enough reach beyond the front of the VC housing. You will need to 'give it' to loosen the bolts. Remove the top 2 first and then loosen the lower 2. Have the VC housing supported so it doesn't land on you. It is not particularly heavy, but will ding you if it lands on you. You may have to give a good tug to separate the VC housing from the rear diff.

Neil.