Axle ping question

phish · Apr 3, 2014

I'm pretty sure I have ye ole axle ping. There's a pop/click when shifting from reverse to drive and when driving at slow speeds and letting off the gas. Below are some videos of the sound:

driving at low speed

drive to reverse

I've searched the site and haven't found a "how to" yet. If ya'll can help me out I'll make a how-to.

Should I pull the axle and grease the splines? If so what kind of grease should I use?

I have an XC90 bolt for the new right axle I had installed which is likely the culprit. Should I locktite this when I install it or just leave it? Should I put an XC90 bolt on the other side too for good measure?

Last question: whats the torque specs for the axle bolts?

Ya'll have been a huge help for me since I've purchased my S40. Thank you all SO MUCH.

-Phish

CJ2 · Apr 3, 2014

what I can find is 35nm or 26 lbf/ft then +90 degrees

Also all sources say to replace them after single use.

MyNameIdeasWereTaken · Apr 3, 2014

Volvo dealers used to use an epoxy of sorts, but that often wears away quite quickly.

I asked my local indie what they would do, he said to ignore it would be best. Mine still click, but not as bad as they used to.

phish · Apr 3, 2014

CJ2 said:
what I can find is 35nm or 26 lbf/ft then +90 degrees

Also all sources say to replace them after single use.

As in if you take them out once, put new ones in?

phish · Apr 3, 2014

MyNameIdeasWereTaken said:
Volvo dealers used to use an epoxy of sorts, but that often wears away quite quickly.

I asked my local indie what they would do, he said to ignore it would be best. Mine still click, but not as bad as they used to.

I'm just worried about stressing my transmission. Seems like a lot of slop would put more pressure on the trans

CJ2 · Apr 3, 2014

Yes the bolts are town away after each use..
Most dealers and internet shops have them in supply

mercdude · Apr 3, 2014

I wonder if the aftermarket axle isn't quite the same length or construction as the OEM one. After replacing my front axles with used OEM ones, no noise whatsoever and I'm not sure the shop that installed used new axle bolts either.

Warpedcow · Apr 3, 2014

MyNameIdeasWereTaken said:
Volvo dealers used to use an epoxy of sorts, but that often wears away quite quickly.

I asked my local indie what they would do, he said to ignore it would be best. Mine still click, but not as bad as they used to.

Try loctite with the XC90 bolts.

pczeilon · Apr 3, 2014

Warpedcow said:
Try loctite with the XC90 bolts.

^^^ This, let car sit overnight before driving. Do not grease, will only make it worse.
Don't worry about transmission, not an issue.
35nm / 26Ftlbs + 90 degrees is correct. Yes, bolt should only be used once. New bolts will come with locktite already applied if necessary.

Check your endlinks, I've been fooled before. Can you get the click by turning the steering wheel side to side (car not moving)? An endlink with a dry socket will make this exact noise & yet have no play. Early IPD links with the black boots are susceptible to this. You'll feel the link click if you place your hand on it. Be careful....

phish · Apr 3, 2014

mercdude said:
I wonder if the aftermarket axle isn't quite the same length or construction as the OEM one. After replacing my front axles with used OEM ones, no noise whatsoever and I'm not sure the shop that installed used new axle bolts either.

Yea the dealer recommended a napa axle. I'm sure that this has something to do with it.

pczeilon said:
^^^ This, let car sit overnight before driving. Do not grease, will only make it worse.
Don't worry about transmission, not an issue.
35nm / 26Ftlbs + 90 degrees is correct. Yes, bolt should only be used once. New bolts will come with locktite already applied if necessary.

Check your endlinks, I've been fooled before. Can you get the click by turning the steering wheel side to side (car not moving)? An endlink with a dry socket will make this exact noise & yet have no play. Early IPD links with the black boots are susceptible to this. You'll feel the link click if you place your hand on it. Be careful....

no clicks or sounds when turning the wheel. only when driving a lower speeds or when shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa.

Could it be the driver's side engine mount or the trans torque mount? I haven't checked those yet

Jonxy · Apr 3, 2014

phish said:
no clicks or sounds when turning the wheel. only when driving a lower speeds or when shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa.

Could it be the driver's side engine mount or the trans torque mount? I haven't checked those yet

That sounds like a torque mount.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

phish · Apr 3, 2014

Jonxy said:
That sounds like a torque mount.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Is there a way to check it without removing it? Otherwise I might just throw in the e-focus one.

Jonxy · Apr 3, 2014

Couple ways. Use a pry bar on the mount and look for cracks or missing rubber in the mount.

Method 2: put car in drive and hold brake while a trusting friend stands infront... (have him stand to the side if you care for the friend. .. Otherwise infront is ideal..) apply a small amount of pressure to the the accelerator, enough not to move the wheels. If your friend sees excessive moment then one or more engine/ tranny mounts will need changing.

P.s. If your spouse has a fully paid up life insurance feel free to use them instead.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

mercdude · Apr 3, 2014

This started after the axle was installed (correct?), which makes me suspect the axle and not the mounts.

phish · Apr 4, 2014

mercdude said:
This started after the axle was installed (correct?), which makes me suspect the axle and not the mounts.

correct. It's definitely the axle. Heres a video of the sloppiness of the new one (before I re-torqued): new axle

compared to the other side: original left axle

I re-torqued the axle bolt that the DEALER installed and found that it was wayyyy looser than 26 lbf/ft then +90 degrees. This helped dampen the noise, but it's still present. Also took a good look at the trans mount and it's definitely starting to crack a little bit:

mercdude · Apr 4, 2014

wow, get rid of that thing!

graywolf · Apr 4, 2014

Warpedcow said:
Try loctite with the XC90 bolts.

Do they fit our V50 cars? I have read that XC90 bolts are different. I want to try this thing, what bolts I should get? Or maybe same new bolts for V50 with loctite should work?

phish · Apr 4, 2014

Can't believe it! Let the locktite sit over night after re-torquing and there's no more clicking when shifting or driving! We'll see how long this lasts.

Should I still be worried about that much play in the axle wearing out my transmission?

graywolf said:
Do they fit our V50 cars? I have read that XC90 bolts are different. I want to try this thing, what bolts I should get? Or maybe same new bolts for V50 with loctite should work?

Yea the bolt wasn't long enough. I just removed the rubber stopper and put that on my existing bolt, cleaned it up and applied locktite

MyNameIdeasWereTaken · Apr 4, 2014

Any chance you have pictures or a little write up that we could stickie?

Veefifty T5AWD · Apr 4, 2014

phish said:

That "split" is normal and part of the mold - it shows how little rubber actually connects the stock mount.

Axle ping question

phish

CJ2

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

phish

phish

CJ2

mercdude

Warpedcow

pczeilon

phish

Jonxy

phish

Jonxy

mercdude

phish

mercdude

graywolf

phish

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

Veefifty T5AWD

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities