I just picked up a 97 850 glt for my kids. It had some deferred maintenance issues to catch up on but the trans was shifting nicely and fluids looked good. The car had low mileage and now has 97,000 miles.

Okay I was diving and the car started making a strange sound similar to bad cv joints. The sound increased when RPM 's climbed or slowed when the RPM's dropped. The car made no noise in neutral or park. I had to get towed by chain off the road. While being towed the car was in neutral yet I old here the "sound" but at a much slower pace than when it was in gear.

What could be causing this issue? First thing I'm thinking s the transmission is the issue but the sound being tied to the RPM's is confusing to me. Any ideas.?

Thanks folks

Also check the axle nuts on each front wheel. Put the car in PARK and jack up the front wheels. Try to spin the wheels. If one turns the axle has become disconnected at one of the ends.

I had my guy tow the car away and a lot of fluid came out. Looked like trans fluid. I'm waiting for him to get it on a lift but I think the axle came apart. He did the axle boots 3 days ago. 2 days ago I saw some fluid. Yesterday it went bad. So if the boot repair requires the axle to be disassembled then maybe he forgot to properly put it back together.

Im feeling optimistic it was something stupid that had nothing to do with the trans. I'll pst the final outcome as son as I hear.

Thanks for the posts

When you pick up your car after the turkey puts the axle back on PROPERLY, check the tranny fluid level. If the engine is cold, start it up, shift to each of the gears for 10 seconds each, then put it in park and check the level with the engine running. Bring your own paper towel. Remember, the tranny dipstick is on the driver's side and has markings on both sides, use the cold side. It must be at MAX.

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future

The diagnosis appears to be one of the transmission pressure lines o ring blew. I never knew these. Oils go bad. I have two other 850s while a lot more miles and never had this issue. The hope is no internal damage. Hopefully since I stopped it as soon as the trouble started there is no internal damage.

I'll post the fix tomorrow.

There are only 2 lines coming out of the tranny, they go to the radiator to get the fluid cooled. You will be the first person to have an O ring blow.

Yes, the fluid should be flushed at 100K miles and 50K intervals after that.

ATF is an hydraulic fluid. The 850 uses DexII or DexIII.

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future

If someone has to be first, it would be this car. Low mileage car that appears to have had a lot of deferred maintenance.

But I thought the same thing, this is a rare failure. What could generate the pressure to loosen the o-rings. The previous owner could have had some work done on the trans or even had it replaced with this unit for all I know. And the o ring failure was caused by improper installation.

My guy is pretty good. He works at a good Volvo dealer and does this on the side. He was scratching his head as well. I'll post final resolution so folks can learn from my experience.
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1996 855 TL Platinum Ed., 1995 854 GLT 5 sp, 1995 854 (RIP), 2005 V70R (badly missed)

Got the car back this week and thank the Lord no internal trans damage. New fluid and back on he road.

Verify that both axles have not 'slipped' out of the tranny. If one slips out even 1/2 inch, the differential will try to spin the nonexistant axle.

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future