Thanks for the response Kira

I fully FULLY intend to live without AWD for a while. I don't know how long that while will be - if it means replacing the bevel gear it will be a year or more.

I did talk to the Erie Volvo guys and got a quote for both a used bevel gear ~$800 and a used VC ~$350, plus shipping would be a couple of hundred. This is certainly not in cards for me right now, esp after the month I've had chasing other stuff in this car.

I did indeed keep mileage records and they're pretty accurate actually. I'll try to post back on this after a couple of weeks with the new setup.

There are, as you say, a bunch of things that need attention in the meantime. Namely:

- driver's side headlammp assembly -> corroded reflectors so I need to replace the whole thing

- Timing belt - I already bought 'the works' so I could piggyback shipping costs with other stuff I've ordered from FCP to deal with the wheel bearing and brake problems I've had. So I've got it already I just need to get everything straight and do it.

- fog lights - my car doesn't have oem foglights but I've been slowly acquiring everything needed for this addition. I've got the relay and the switch, and now just need to buy some lights and hook it up. Currently trying to pick out some lights. I think I'm actually going to put two sets of lights on eventually - 1 set of driving lights and 1 set of fog lights, operated independently. This is technically illegal where I live and probably most other places too, but many people seem to be doing it so I'm not worried. I'll probably post to here and chronicle my adventures in lighting when I go through all this.

- rattles and squeaks - still chasing lots of these.

- front suspension - related to the last one - I think I've got a lot of noise from the fabled spring seat problem. I'll look into doing this later too, as I will need to buy a spring tool first and I've kind of blown my tool budget the last few months.

- floor mats - car didn't have any Volvo floor mats when I bought it just (very) poorly fitting walmart jobbies that are terrible. I'll be getting some that fit properly. I'm open to suggestions for sure.

I bet I could fill out this wish list all day.

Still love the car though. And I'm still open to the possibility of redoing the AWD if I get the chance someday. I loved how it felt and the security in the snow was pretty unbelievable.


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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 190k+