2008 XC70 drivetrain binding up?

[leylandp38]

I have a 2008 XC70 D5 manual box, early P3 based XC70 with the Haldex 3. it's on 150k miles and is in very good condition. I've always maintained it and to be honest it's one of the best cars I've owned.

Recently I noticed a faint vibration in the drivetrain, particularly on turns. I had it checked at a local garage who diagnosed a possible transfer case issue and topped up the oil.

However shortly afterwards the vibration got worse. I'm not convinced the diagnosis is correct. The symptoms don't align with what I'm reading on this forum and others. Now it is more pronounced, what I notice is that it seems to be binding up between the front and rear axles, which suggests to me perhaps a Haldex issue.

I have since then avoided tight turns, the issue did not yet seem significant. Last night however I was on a 30 minute drive and when stopped at a junction, I was sure I could smell burning rubber. When I got home and parked, I got out and immediately smelled burning rubber from under the car. It was chucking it down and it was around 1.00am so I didn't bother looking underneath.

Can anyone offer some advice?

thanks

Al

[GrahamBrown1]

Simple things to check, how much play is there in the prop shaft, the garage suspected transfer case or what volvo call the angle gear. There is a splined coupling that connects the angle gear to the gearbox. These were prone to wear in older cars. If you can turn the prop whilst under the car this was tell tale the coupling was knackerd. Be worth a check. Also check prop shaft bearing and joints. The burning rubber smell is a little odd. You could check the haldex oil and filter also.

[leylandp38]

Thanks. Have ordered Haldex oil and filter. I'll get under it when the rain eases up and check the items suggested. Much appreciated.

[leylandp38]

I removed the fuse for the Haldex unit and apart from warning lights the car drives and turns fine, so I am increasingly sure it's the Haldex in need of oil and filter. Will do those on the weekend plus other fluids whilst I'm under it.

[100K+]

I had what I'd call the same issue you describe. Mine manifest itself when trying to do a three point turn in a back lane....I got actual bangs from transmission. Took me ages to resolve due to faulty initial diagnosis.
The issue was the DEM unit which controls the haldex. Initially givena clean bill of health,it was not until a member here suggested their diagnosis could be suspect i returned to suspectingthe DEM again.
This time sent it to Lucus @ volvodiagnostics who found odd fault in DEM which he could not repair, but could clone another DEM. Turn round was a couple of weeks but item as promised was plug and play. Circa £300 . I Ran the car (AWD R) for at least another 2+ years without further AWD issues. Have used Lucus for a couple of V70 issues as have others, once repaired it works and lasts..

Cheers Bob

[Tannaton]

^^^ That

Worth checking out his original thread on it which I think is in this subsection.

Deffo drivetrain winding up - I'd leave the fuse out as diff/transfer/gearbox damage very likely if you continue to drive it. Similar issue killed off many a Freelander 1.

[leylandp38]

Well, I changed the Haldex oil and filter today, and reinstated the fuse. After a test drive to let the clean oil circulate, it is back to normal. No binding, even on a tight 3 point turn, all good.

I watched a few YouTube clips on changing the filter. As others have found, the drain plug was seized solid.. One of the best tips (in the comments) was to use the pump to evacuate the old oil and flush through some clean oil. I used alligator leads and a 9V battery.

The old oil and filter were filthy, it was clearly clogged, but I think I caught it before any serious damage occurred. I might do it again quite soon to guarantee a good flush. Now I know how it's done, it is surprisingly easy to do.