[Voldsom Volvo]

Can someone tell me how severe this is? The part which is highlighted in red has been leaking some sort of oil/grease and I am suspecting this to be the culprit for some chatter I hear when driving over small bumps. Could this be and how serious is it that it leaks oil/grease? When I took the picture I had already wiped some of the grease off, so there has been more before.

I have also highlighted another part in blue. There is no issue, but I have been curious for quite a while as to what its function is.

Please enlighten this rookie, thanks

 

[Evolv0]

in the red is your front passanger side axel boot, you should check to make sure that the boot isnt torn or make sure that there isnt anything dripping down onto it. but since you say you are hearing chatter, it very well possible is that axel loosing its grease.

the blue... i have no clue, it looks like linkage of some sort. maybe someone can chim in that knows it better :beer:

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

Yeah, your axle boot is leaking grease. If you're hearing clicking, then you'll most likely need a new axle. Get ready, the part will run somewhere near $400. I recently caught one of my boots which was just starting to leak grease, but I caught it soon enough that thy could replace the boots. Still cost $230 with parts and labor.

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

Thanks guys!

How important/vital is this axle boot? I haven't noticed any worse road handling. In any event, I don't drive fast through corners but do like to occasionally accelerate hard in a straight line, when there is sufficient space on the road. I guess, my question is: What is the possible/plausible outcome if I do not have it replaced? Can it be dangerous?

 

[Evolv0]

the clicking sound will get worse and louder indicating metal fatigue/wear creating heat which will lead to the axle eventually breaking and you will loose drive power to that wheel.

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

You have to get it done. You can't drive with a cv joint that has no grease! This has nothing to do with handling and everything to do with drive-ability...

 

[Evolv0]

Yeah you shouldnt let it get worse.. also if it snaps because you didnt care of it,, it will be violently swinging around down there damaging other components.

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

Yeah you shouldnt let it get worse.. also if it snaps because you didnt care of it,, it will be violently swinging around down there damaging other components.

Yeah I read about someone whose failed joint ended up puncturing the transmission case thus taking his tranny out at the same time. Yikes!

 

[NIZMO]

im pretty sure the blue highlighted box is something to do with the angle of your headlights.

 

[Evolv0]

im pretty sure the blue highlighted box is something to do with the angle of your headlights.

naaa look at where it is, its right by the strut and lower too.

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

Okay okay I get it!

So let me get this straight. If I take it to a shop, should the mechanic start by removing the boot and check if it can be fixed by re-greasing and installing a new boot?

If it can't be saved it is a new CV joint or is it even possible only replacing the CV joint? Heard something about only being able to buy a complete axle for our cars?

 

[aldebaran]

At first I thought weird looking endlinks, but then I found them.. Can't say I've seen my car from this angle before either. I need to look at my car now.

OMG what is wrong with your car?

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

At first I thought weird looking endlinks, but then I found them.. Can't say I've seen my car from this angle before either. I need to look at my car now.

OMG what is wrong with your car?

What do you mean? I took the picture today after driving it up on ramps. I laid on my back and snapped the picture.

 

[EngTech]

First of all You Inspect IT ! , did You actually Find a Hole of a Crack ?

It could just be Extra from to much Grease . As what is Showing on the Metal Belt Guard - Protection Looks more like - OIL.
( Smell Test ) needed !

The Light Clicking - OR Clacking - I call it Could be the Sway End Link -
( Clicking is Metallic and has to do with Rev's ) /
( Clacking is a wide range of materials and Repeats to Road Surface )

I'd need another Top Picture of un-Identified Part to see how it's connected to Car .
( Looks to be Power Leveling or Load Leveler - Control ) My Early Guess !

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

First of all You Inspect IT ! , did You actually Find a Hole of a Crack ?

It could just be Extra from to much Grease . As what is Showing on the Metal Belt Guard - Protection Looks more like - OIL.
( Smell Test ) needed !

The Light Clicking - OR Clacking - I call it Could be the Sway End Link -
( Clicking is Metallic and has to do with Rev's ) /
( Clacking is a wide range of materials and Repeats to Road Surface )

I'd need another Top Picture of un-Identified Part to see how it's connected to Car .
( Looks to be Power Leveling or Load Leveler - Control ) My Early Guess !

Mine looked nearly identical, but I couldn't feel a tear/hole. I think it was seeping out from near the clamp. Considering it's splattered up onto the shield, it's definitely coming from the boot. I'm willing to be other parts within the radius of the boot have some grease on them.

As for next steps- have it looked at, they can tell whether or not boots can be replaced vs. a new axle needed.

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

First of all You Inspect IT ! , did You actually Find a Hole of a Crack ?

It could just be Extra from to much Grease . As what is Showing on the Metal Belt Guard - Protection Looks more like - OIL.
( Smell Test ) needed !

The Light Clicking - OR Clacking - I call it Could be the Sway End Link -
( Clicking is Metallic and has to do with Rev's ) /
( Clacking is a wide range of materials and Repeats to Road Surface )

I'd need another Top Picture of un-Identified Part to see how it's connected to Car .
( Looks to be Power Leveling or Load Leveler - Control ) My Early Guess !

Thanks Engtech. Well as far as I could see there was no crack, but I will have a better look tomorrow. There was quite a lot of grease (not oil) on the top of the boot and some had sprayed upwards (towards the engine). It may look like oil because I had wiped of the grease prior to taking the picture.

The sound is not actually a clicking sound but more like squeaking and is definitely not connected to revs. It doesn't sound metallic.

As for the part highlighted in blue, I too think it is some kind of level mechanism. I was just wondering as it seems quite exposed and it also feels quite fragile (made of plastic).

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

Btw, if I change the axle is it recommended to do both sides at the same time?

Also, I assume wheel alignment is necessary after the job?

 

[Inhinyero]

I just finished doing this.

I don't see any crack on the boot, but it looks like axle grease.
You might be able to get away with just tightening the clamp on the end where it is leaking.

If you need to replace the boots, I suggest going to your local wreck yard and grab a used axle for replacement. It is a lot faster than buying a boot kit (#31256010 Bellows kit) and replacing the boots.

Is that an OEM axle? The reason I ask is that I do not see a vibration damper? Mine has a rubber part in the middle of the boots.

If the other axle is fine, I would leave it alone.
Also, an alignment would not hurt.

 

[shadowlord]

the blue part is your leveling sensor, since S40's dont have self leveling suspension (as fas as i know) its there for headlight leveling only.

 

[Voldsom Volvo]

Thanks guys.

Is that an OEM axle? The reason I ask is that I do not see a vibration damper? Mine has a rubber part in the middle of the boots.

AFAIK everything is OEM including the axles and would be very surprised if the axles have been changed. I bought the car back in 2008 when it had done about the equivalent of 42K miles and every service had been done at an authorized Volvo workshop.

Could you be so kind and upload a picture of how your axle looks like?