My recent aquisition is leaking transmission fluid from the tail shaft area.
I keep topping it off, but there is a fairly constant drip. What seals do I need to replace? and how expensive is such a job (for a DIYer)?

For maybe 20.00 dollars you can do it yourself. You have two choices, replace the seal, and it will probably be good for 20000-30000 miles. Or you can pull the tail shaft housing off the back of the transmission,and it is an easy 3-4 hour job (tops) And do it right. Mine had the bushing pressed in wrong and the oil hole wasn't lined up properly with the little oil channel.But anyway, drop the driveshaft off the tailstock of the trans, very easy and self explanatory, pull the four bolts that hold the tailstock and pull it straight back and off of the trans. or get under there and pop the seal out and gently and evenly tap a new seal in with the tailstock on the trans if you choose the easy route. Then heat the tailstock with a propane torch to expand the aluminum around the bushing and or take a hacksaw blade, and make one cut into the bushing, cutting all the way through but stopping before you get into the aluminum and pull the old one out. Heat the end of the housing around the bushing area to expand, then GENTLY tap the new one in lining up the oil hole up with the channel at the bottom using a block of wood and working slowly tap it in EVENLY, this hole and channel lubes the driveshaft yoke in the bushing. Inspect the driveshaft yoke for scoring or gal marks, because if it isn't perfectly smooth it will eat up the bushing again. replace if necessary. put it all back together and laugh because you saved yourself 200.00. It raally is easy, but be sure to tap the bushing in straight and you have to heat it up to expand the aluminum or it won't go in, also be sure to clean everything completely before assembling.

Sounds like you need to replace the tailshaft bushing and its seal. Almost all of them go by 200K. Just did mine this spring. I'm not sure what the parts cost but I believe they are under $100. I'm sure someone else knows. I had a shop do mine and it was about $200. Not sure, but you might need special tool(s). Do a search in the archives and you should find out more.


Jim 1990 244DL 205K and running strong

The two parts together list for $37.50. There is a really nice bushing puller and installer tool, which costs like $125.... which is about what it costs to get it done at a shop. Shouldn't be more, if it's a Volvo shop. Any VolvoQshop has done this repair A LOT, and ought to be good at it by now.

Rob Bareiss, New London, CT