Checking xc90 awd manually
 

Hi all I'm sure this has been asked many times but is there a way of checking the awd of a xc90 manually without driving?
I know get it in the air and check all 4 wheels is best or get it in a muddy field lol but I am looking at viewing an xc90 and want to know whats best to check

Is it possible to lie underneath and trying to turn the prop, by hand? does this prove anything.

Cheers

Absolutely, if you get underneath and grip the propshaft you should not be able to get it to revolve.

If it does, the spline at the front of the propshaft inside the angle gear will have stripped and rendered the AWD useless.

I viewed a very nice looking XC90 Ocean race recently and the owner was most indignant when I did this check and told him that the AWD was broken.

He didn't believe a word and I know that some poor sucker actually bought the car.

The propshaft will move a very small amount and that is normal. Even if that element checks out fine it may still be the case that the AWD is not working as it relies on the DEM module on the Haldex ( rear axle ) to tell it to work and these do go faulty.

In short, if the propshaft is ok, find a muddy field and get someone to accelerate hard whilst watching the rear wheels. they should spin the same as the front ones. If they don't it isn't working.

Loads of owners are blissfully driving around in front wheel drive only XC90's and XC70's as there are no warning messages or strange sounds when inoperative.:thumbs_up:

So having viewed an xc90 for sale privately, I lay on the floor and could turn the prop fully around by hand....
I guess the awd is toast then....

Yes it certainly is.

The parts to fix it are around £100 from memory BUT it is quite a time consuming job therefore if you are not able to do it yourself, garage labour charges will be high.:thumbs_up:

+ YouTube Video

+ YouTube Video

+ YouTube Video

done this repair on an S60R and 'nightmare' is the nicest way you can put it. absolute tw@ of a job. to get the sleeve off the shaft in the box meant fabbing a rig with 60mm x 60mm box section and a 6 ton bottle jack, both of which were destroyed doing the job. we had to drill and tap the old sleeve to make a 'pulling surface' using m12 bolts.

Great videos thanks.

Didn't realise the sleeve was between the gearbox and transfer box.

Out of interest what parts are required. The sleeve and a few seals?

Yup - and sometimes some grease.

Not my videos, just some off YouTube but it gives you an idea as to what is involved.

I'm located in England:thumbs_up: