The official word is that the coupler "shared the love" with the angle gear. And that would be a direct quote from John the Tech. The spline on the shaft was nearly gone. Lots of rust seeing as though we live inna rainforest. We took the car to an independent -M&W in Tigard, OR. My other half had used them extensively with her other Volvo. I guess it came apart easy enough. In and out was 3 hours labor $267 w/ $1880 parts. He also said that they use the green loctite/ seal it up. Hopefully it doesn't get revisited. Thanks for all the input guys.