XC70: Gearbox Back axle actually

[JohnPud]

Hi,

Thought I'd post for others benefit. My 2009 XC70 developed a whine at the rear. This was confirmed as either the Haldex or the attached diff by my Volvo dealer. I was disappointed to say the least, as it's only done 89,000 miles with 'one careful owner'! They quoted £5.3K to fix it - then said they'd give me £7.5k for the car and handed me over to a salesman. I asked around locally for an alternative and was eventually given the contact number for Central Axle Services in Birmingham. I dropped the car off at 11.00 Monday and they called with job done at 14.00 the following day - all for £660! Excellent service.

[westie1981]

Is it this company?

http://www.centralaxles.com/

[Rooster]

Apparently they use the same rear diff as a freelander 2 and the bearings are made of chocolate,

Funny how it seems to be the ford ownership era of cars that seem to be shredding there rear diffs

[JohnPud]

Originally Posted by westie1981

Is it this company?

http://www.centralaxles.com/

Yes. As soon as I said I have an XC70 he completed the sentence for me and told me it is a common problem. I think I read somewhere that newer cars are better, indicating a possible design mod.

[Rooster]

Actually it is earlier cars that don't have an issue upto around 07ish,

I have an 04 xc90 and it gets muddy and tows regular and has done around 100k and the diff is fine,

Alot of newer stuff hasn't hit the mileage yet so time will tell but seen a couple over last year with noisy diff's which never used to happen

[dme123]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Apparently they use the same rear diff as a freelander 2 and the bearings are made of chocolate,

Funny how it seems to be the ford ownership era of cars that seem to be shredding there rear diffs

I've heard this is very common, it's enough to put me off any of the AWD models, which is a shame as the ones with the tastiest engines (T6 & V8) are all saddled with a system clearly more suited to the weedy Ford Transit engines they fitted to the Freelander 2.

Sad to say that from my own personal experience the Ford era cars, while very nice, are much more obviously built down to a price than the older models. Let's hope that without Uncle Henry's famously penny pinching influence things will improve now. Ford sourced dampers shagged out at 95,000 miles is a very un-Volvo experience.

Volvo turned out some great looking cars with superb interiors in the Ford era but I doubt very much that the survival rate will be anything like the cars up to (and including) the P2 platform cars have experienced.

[JohnPud]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Actually it is earlier cars that don't have an issue upto around 07ish,

I have an 04 xc90 and it gets muddy and tows regular and has done around 100k and the diff is fine,

Alot of newer stuff hasn't hit the mileage yet so time will tell but seen a couple over last year with noisy diff's which never used to happen

Yes, I meant newer of this model. I had the previous one with no problems up to well over 100k. Of course, 'Volvos go on for ever Sir' was replaced with 'nice car, but a shame about the mileage' when I bought the current one!

I don't know if CAS replaced like-for-like or fitted a stronger part. Luckily I've gone from being a field engineer doing lots of miles to retired popping out to the snooker club on a Tuesday afternoon, so even if it's another 'chocolate' one it should still outlive me! :-)

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Apparently they use the same rear diff as a freelander 2 and the bearings are made of chocolate,

Funny how it seems to be the ford ownership era of cars that seem to be shredding there rear diffs

Just about all volvo problems now have fomoco cast into the component ! IT will dilute out in the next 3 years or so .

[Model flyer]

Trouble with dilution of the Ford effect is it will take a few years before I can afford an undiluted Volvo again Hopefully my p3 will last that long.