2000 V70 CC - that no 3rd gear thing

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 17 Sep 2015, 10:43

There's a guy around here that has been trying to sell a "no third gear" V70 CC for a while now. I understand the problem is usually because some dimwit removed a bolt on the top of the tranny to change the fluid, so the 3rd gear band came loose. So the only way to fix it is to pull the drive train and replace the transmission - that is, there is no way to fish the part up to the bolt hole. I was at a machine shop, and they had a hollow bolt that was threaded on the inside, to accept a small bolt, so it made me wonder if the fix could be done with a hollow bolt. Since I've never been inside a Volvo automatic transmission, I have no idea how it's laid out inside. For sure, I'm not going to try a tranny swap unless the guy practically gives it to me.....

Post by **JDS60R** » 17 Sep 2015, 14:06

Not that I am aware of. We have had a few with that issue go to some good local re builders and they have not been able to cheat the fix.

That just means they couldn't do it. Maybe someone will chime in with success. I thin if the band is still attached at the other end you at least have a 1% chance.

Post by **precopster** » 17 Sep 2015, 14:29

The guys on Swedespeed have documented success of the retrieval of the clamp. By removing the B4 piston the band clamp rotates a further 5 degrees towards the bolt hole. Yes a holed bolt was amongst the solutions on SS.

HOWEVER missing 3rd gear because of 27mm bolt removal is not the only reason for this symptom. If the bolt WASN'T removed, the 3rd gear band clamp's friction material may have worn down to critical levels and this will also cause missing 3rd gear. This happened to my wife's 2002 XC70 and I successfully replaced the worn band clamp with a good used one while the transmission was still attached. It involved dropping the subframe on the driver's side (in LHD countries) to access the side cover.

I also devised a measurement for measuring/assessment of band clamp wear based on the band clamp travel through the B4 piston bore. I'll find the link and post here.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=71364
2001-2007 AW55-50 Lost 3rd gear solution

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 17 Sep 2015, 15:35

Could you post a link to the Swedespeed article?
Thanks for the information and great article on band R&R..
Next to figure out how much to offer the guy- 200K and in good shape...

"Maybe someone will chime in with success. I think if the band is still attached at the other end you at least have a 1% chance."

That high, huh ?

Post by **precopster** » 18 Sep 2015, 15:47

If you insert something like a Philips screwdriver through the B4 port after removing the B4 piston and you don't feel a springing back action then the band is dislodged and has rotated anti-clockwise.

Post by **John850GLT** » 18 May 2016, 17:50

So, am I screwed? My oil change guys removed that top bolt to add fluid, and 3rd gear is gone.
Help!

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 18 May 2016, 19:19

"So, am I screwed? My oil change guys removed that top bolt to add fluid, and 3rd gear is gone.
Help!"

Correct you are screwed. And so is the oil change guy. They have to fix it..

Post by **abscate** » 19 May 2016, 05:20

" bring me back my car working in all gears please"

A national oil change chain will insure against this. If it's a little guy, be kind and don't put him out of business

Post by **precopster** » 19 May 2016, 07:19

If you can't fish it out just have them drop the subframe enough to remove the side cover. 3rd gear clamp will be restored by hand once the cover is off.

Yes it's more labour doing it this way but not costly at all apart from some new sealant for the cover.

Post by **John850GLT** » 19 May 2016, 11:15

Mike, abscate, azureblue, Thank you for your replies. I certainly don't want to put the guys out of business, but what outside cost am I looking at? Can an oil change/routine maintenance shop handle opening the transmission, or should I bargain/demand a trans shop do the work (is someone quite knowledgeable required/could my place make it worse?)? They switched out fluid for my '96 GLT-no problems. Who knew this was the fate of removing that bolt? Seems like very esoteric knowledge. Any other thoughts you have deeply appreciated. Love the car, in excellent shape until this. Argghhh.