xcv70 Getting the driver side axle back in?

[instarx]

I'm replacing the driver side axle. I got it out without much trouble, but the new one will not go back in all the way on the transmission side. Is there some secret I have missed? Do I have to rotate it to a certain spot?

Also, there is a slow dripping of transmission fluid coming out, but none is coming out of the axle hole! This seems strange to me - if it were going to leak out when the axle was removed wouldn't it come out of the hole?

Third, (sorry for so many questions) what is the best way to get the axle seal out. I have a new one but I can't get the old one out.

Thanks.

[scot850]

Have you compared the 2 axles side by side? It may be you have been supplied the wrong one. Is the 'new' axle an OE rebuilt unit or aftermarket, or new aftermarket?

Check the retaining ring on the inner end of the axle. Again it may need a little massaging to fit. If you have and OE axle as the original, you could swap the 2 rings over.

Axles can be a little tricky to get back in sometimes. Put the car in 'N' which will allow you to turn the axle will giving inward pressure and you hopefully find it just snaps in.

Neil.

[instarx]

I have compared the two axles and they look the same. The axle is new aftermarket not Volvo. I've put some grease on the cir-clip but it isn't helping. Being new, the new cir-clip ring is pretty sharp-edged so I was thinking my next step would be filing it a little to round its edge.

[instarx]

SUCCESS! Thanks for your help. Rounding off the edge of the cir-clip just a tiny bit did the trick.

[scot850]

Great news! I have read many times of recommendations to swap the OE old cir-clip over onto the new axle as the aftermarket ones are usually soft and crap as you have found out. Glad you figured it out and can move on!

Neil.