C70: Rear axle snapped!

[SteveSarre]

Hi StatusRed.

Is your car a 1999 C70?

This job sounds like it could get very expensive, particularly if your garage is going to add extra costs when the job has been started.

Did the rear axle system that you have bought come from a similar C70 with the same ABS sensors? (I believe there are differences between C70 and V70).

It sounds like this car would still be driveable for short distances but you would obviously still have the clunking.

Can you take your car to a different garage and get a second opinion? Initially I wouldn't tell them what the other garage is proposing, but do point out the broken bushing that you have spotted, and see what they propose and how much it would cost (parts and labour). You could then discuss the various options that I mention below and see what they recommend.

The work that you are facing could either be

1.
Just purchase and replace 2 transverse arm bushings. This still seems possible to me but without seeing the car in person it is difficult to be sure.
It would be a good time to purchase and replace the two trailing arm bushings as well.
Get 4 wheel alignment.

or what you seem to be heading into:
2.
Remove axle system (rear trailing arms and transverse arms) taking care not to damage the brake lines that run forwards towards the master cylinder.
Purchase 2 x trailing arm bushings
Purchase 2 X transverse arm bushings
Remove 4 old and fit 4 new bushings
Fit axle system to car. If the new axle system includes 2 good handbrake cables then connect those, otherwise probably better to buy and fit 2 new.
Reuse your old rear shocks (if in good condition).
Transfer or reuse ABS sensors (important that the new axle uses the same ABS sensors)
Will you use the brake drums, pads and calipers that are on the new axle system, or reuse your old ones?
Will you keep the spare brake drums, pads, backing plates and calipers (eg if very good)?
Transfer or reuse and adjust brake parts as appropriate.
Adjust parking brake on both sides
Get 4 wheel alignment

PM me if you want to discuss further.

Hope that helps.
Steve

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by SteveSarre

Hi StatusRed.

Is your car a 1999 C70?

This job sounds like it could get very expensive, particularly if your garage is going to add extra costs when the job has been started.

Did the rear axle system that you have bought come from a similar C70 with the same ABS sensors? (I believe there are differences between C70 and V70).

It sounds like this car would still be driveable for short distances but you would obviously still have the clunking.

Can you take your car to a different garage and get a second opinion? Initially I wouldn't tell them what the other garage is proposing, but do point out the broken bushing that you have spotted, and see what they propose and how much it would cost (parts and labour). You could then discuss the various options that I mention below and see what they recommend.

The work that you are facing could either be

1.
Just purchase and replace 2 transverse arm bushings. This still seems possible to me but without seeing the car in person it is difficult to be sure.
It would be a good time to purchase and replace the two trailing arm bushings as well.
Get 4 wheel alignment.

or what you seem to be heading into:
2.
Remove axle system (rear trailing arms and transverse arms).
Purchase 2 x trailing arm bushings
Purchase 2 X transverse arm bushings
Remove 4 old and fit 4 new bushings
Fit axle system to car. If the new axle system includes 2 good handbrake cables then connect those, otherwise probably better to buy and fit 2 new.
Transfer or reuse ABS sensors (important that the new axle uses the same ABS sensors)
Will you use the brake drums, pads and calipers that are on the new axle system, or reuse your old ones?
Will you keep the spare brake drums, pads and calipers (eg if very good)?
Transfer or reuse and adjust brake parts as appropriate.
Adjust parking brake on both sides
Get 4 wheel alignment

PM me if you want to discuss further.

Hope that helps.
Steve

Should be exactly the same axle, it's come off a 2002 C70 Coupe with ABS, only difference is the year, mine is 1999 (MY 2000). He's told me it should be about £200 which I'm happy with, if the costs start going up (he said he'd call me if he sees issues which means it will cost more) I will ask him to stop and I'll take it to the other Volvo specialist in Glasgow.

That's a good point, I could ask them to save the old axle so I could strip off the anti-roll bar and hubs etc.. (brakes will need to be re-used as they're not on the new hub - I've also painted them), maybe I'll get some money back from this.

Overall condition of the new axle looks a lot better than the old one though, looks far less weathered.

[StatusRed]

Rear axle is now with the mechanic... just waiting on the new bushes.

[StatusRed]

Finally got the car back! Drives smoother than ever now with fixed strut top mount, second hand rear axle (with new bushes) and new poly anti-roll bar bushes

[griston64]

Where did you get the work done? I'm in Glasgow so it's good to know of Volvo specialists in the area

Cheers

[Baffler]

Good to hear you're all sorted and you found the source of the front knocking. Another one saved from the scrappie!

So was the old delta arms snapped or just the bush completely deteriorated? You may be able to service the old one's and sell them on.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by griston64

Where did you get the work done? I'm in Glasgow so it's good to know of Volvo specialists in the area

Cheers

DS Motors, they're a Volvo specialist. £440 for all the work they did including providing and fitting new ABS sensors because they didn't work in the second hand axle. They even slapped a load of black paint on it to try and stop it rusting in future.

Originally Posted by Baffler

Good to hear you're all sorted and you found the source of the front knocking. Another one saved from the scrappie!

So was the old delta arms snapped or just the bush completely deteriorated? You may be able to service the old one's and sell them on.

It wasn't just the bush, all the metal surrounding it too and part of the torsion bar from what I saw when I went to look.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by happy diver

Mate what condition is the other side in, will it be next, keep you money for that

Don't spend money on unnecessary stuff
if the parts you bought are good enough
with the mechanic willing to install them

Stay away from people being frivolous

Frivolous! 🤪🤪.

It’s £100 to ensure piece of mind. There is simply no way I would replace that with worn old bushes.