2005 XC70 sudden loss of drive

jura0107 · Post by **jura0107** » 22 Oct 2020, 10:20

Hi. I have had my XC70 Auto/Geartronic for the past 2 years and have had no problems but suddenly last wknd 'something' stopped working! The car lost all drive and left us stranded in the middle of nowhere! Having gotten it back to a local garage they tell me that the drive shaft is broken and needs replaced! Sounds expensive! What I couldn't understand is why, with the XC70 being AWD did I lose ALL drive at once? If this is a stupid question please forgive me.
If anyone is able to give me advice, I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Steven

Post by **darrylrobert** » 23 Oct 2020, 03:40

the right hand front and rears are driven from one side RH of the gearbox, the front left driven by the LH side. i think the way the gearbox works, it spins the easiest wheel..but the 2005 has an electronic AWD this should stop it and put power to the other wheel that isnt moving, thats what i thought.

Post by **oragex** » 23 Oct 2020, 12:17

You may always try to find a used part in good condition. Were there any noises before ? A drive shaft doesn't break all of a sudden without making noise prior to that. Was the engine still running when this happened, or it also died ? Could you start the car ? https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=19

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 23 Oct 2020, 14:37

jura0107 wrote: ↑22 Oct 2020, 10:20 What I couldn't understand is why, with the XC70 being AWD did I lose ALL drive at once?

1. Part time AWD. The AWD does not engage unless the TCM detects wheel slippage on the front drive. The sensors are in the wheels. The wheel has to be spinning for wheel slippage to be detected. This is why your AWD is not engaging.

2. Differential slip is what you get when stuck in the mud. The wheel that is in the mud spins goes nowhere and the other one does nothing. The broken axle causes Differential slip just like getting stuck in the mud.

Was the CV joint making a clicking noise before this sudden lost of drive? If so, this is not sudden. You where warned long before this happened. Most of the time it the CV joint on the Axle that is broken not the Axle.

jura0107 · Post by **jura0107** » 23 Oct 2020, 23:05

Thanks RickHaleParker for your advice. I use the word 'sudden' because to me and my family it was! I am not a mechanic and have to rely on others such as yourself, for guidance in these matters. There may well have been any number of 'noises' that I would not have interpreted as being an indicator of a major problem like this - the car is, after all, about 15 years old

Thanks for the explanation tho', it was helpful. Best, Steven.

jura0107 · Post by **jura0107** » 23 Oct 2020, 23:09

oragex wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 12:17 You may always try to find a used part in good condition. Were there any noises before ? A drive shaft doesn't break all of a sudden without making noise prior to that. Was the engine still running when this happened, or it also died ? Could you start the car ? https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=19

Thanks for your reply. I didn't notice any unusual noises before it happened. The car was running and it still starts fine - it just wont engage any gears.

Post by **darrylrobert** » 25 Oct 2020, 02:19

pics of the "broken axle" would be interesting. could be just a universal joint. Only time my volvo has broken down was because of getting work done by "mechanics". I also check my vehicle after having work done and have found important bolts not done up etc..Most mechanics will show you/explain what is broken or has been fixed.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 25 Oct 2020, 04:12

darrylrobert wrote: ↑25 Oct 2020, 02:19 have found important bolts not done up etc..

Was it these guys?

Post by **abscate** » 25 Oct 2020, 06:49

Hey, I didn’t give permission for my shop to be on here!!