Differential or Angle/Bevel Gear?

[Antherzoll]

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showth...-gear-bearings

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...on-for-failure

[2008XC70]

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showth...-gear-bearings

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...on-for-failure

Thanks Antherzoll, I'll check those out.

Here's a couple videos that hopefully will help with the identification of the noise. I topped off the differential fluid, but it really wasn't that low at all. I've read a lot about wheel bearings, but I don't think this is the case here, it sounds like either the differential or the VC. Any thoughts?

I replaced the front Angle gear with a decent used part as the one that was on there had some slop in the output shaft.

[Scopeman]

Center bearing?

[2008XC70]

Center bearing?

Could be, my next step is remove the driveshaft.

[2008XC70]

Could be, my next step is remove the driveshaft.

Removed the driveshaft and the noise is almost completely gone. I feel like I still hear a very faint whine, but maybe only 5% of what it was before. I'll be able to make a better determination on my way home on the highway. The center support didn't have any play and spinning it by hand didn't yield anything spectacular, nor did I expect it to.

I wonder if I could be facing multiple variables here like worn wheel bearings/worn VC.

Does anyone know if the VC or "torque box" simply comes off with two bolts or is it more complex than that?

Thanks!

[2008XC70]

Replaced both rear wheel bearings and the noise is still present. I ordered a used diff from ebay and hopefully that solves the issue. Luckily it comes with a VC so I will have a spare. The VC is still good on my car.

Funny when replacing the wheel bearings, the part that took the longest was getting rotors off. I had to break out the 10lb sledge hammer and a 2x4.

[guymon]

Been there done that. It was very easy to tell where the noise was coming from once I was under it, while on 4 stands and running in gear. I could even put my hand on the Final Drive (Differential) and "feel" the noise. A used Final Drive with VC was purchased from eBay. I replaced the seals and new Volvo oil in the used FD to be safe. Installed, and all has been good. I think it's the FD pinion that goes or becomes loose, so in reality that might be able to be replaced in the FD, but I have not taken apart my old one to confirm that.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showth...om-rear-of-car

[2008XC70]

Case closed. Got a used differential off ebay, replaced all the seals, swapped it in and put driveshaft back in. Car is good. What a major pain in the *** though. I suppose if I have to do that again in the future, i'll at least know what needs to come off.

Sold the car this afternoon!

[nickbw]

The moral is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

[2008XC70]

It's kind of incredible how people drink the kool-aid of transmission and angle gear/diff don't need fluid changes! Lifetime fluid my @$$.

Working on another 2001 with transmission shudder. Fluid was never changed!

On my own fleet, they get a drain and fill every other oil change (so about every 15k) and that keep the fluid nice and fresh!