My 1982 245 has about 245K on it now and I've got some rear end noise. I've replaced the rear wheel bearings and that helped some, but the noise continues. I believe the drive gears have just had it. I haven't been able to turn up a rear end with the ratio I need (3.54), while I have come across several acceptable-mileage cars without readable ratio tags. I know there are four different ratios available. What I'm wondering is if someone might know which models would have the ratio I need. I look first for a car like mine--245 wagon with M46 transmission--but haven't found any. Do you know if some other model would have that same ratio?

See also http://billgarland.mcmaster.ca/volvo/database/tranny.htm
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of these numbers or remember where they came from but here they are anyway.



Engine, transmission, and rearend combinations (140/240 series USA/Canada):


1972-75 140/240 with B20F and M40 or BW35: 4.10:1 type 1030
1971-75 140/240 with B20E/F and M41: 4.30:1 type 1030
1969-75 164 with M400/410: 3.73:1 type 1031(?)
1969-75 164 with BW35: 3.31:1 type 1031
1976-79 240 with B21 and any transmission: 3.91:1 type 1030
1976-81 260 series with B27F or B28F and M46: 3.73:1 type 1031
1976-82 260 with B27/28F and BW55: 3.54:1 type 1031
1980 240's with B21A/F and M45/6: 3.91:1 type 1030
1980 240's with B21F and A/BW55: 3.73:1 type 1030
1980 240's with B21A and BW55: 3.54:1 type 1030
1981 240's with B21F non-MPG: 3.73:1 type 1030
1981-84 240's with B21A and BW55: 3.54:1 type 1030
1981-84 240's with B21A/F-MPG and M46: 3.54:1 type 1030
1981-82 240's with B21F-MPG and AW55/70: 3.91:1 type 1030
1981-85 240's with B23E or B21FT and M46: 3.73:1 type 1031
1981-82 240's with B23E and BW55: 3.54:1 type 1031
1981 262C: 3.31:1 type 1031
1982 240T with AW71: 3.73:1 type 1031
1983-84 240 with B23F and M46: 3.31:1 type 1031
1983-84 240 with B23F and AW70: 3.73:1 type 1031
1983 240 with B23E and M46: 3.73:1 type 1031?
1983 240 with B23E and BW55: 3.54:1 type 1031
1983-85 240 with B21FT and AW71: 3.91:1 type 1031
1985-93 240 with B230F and M46/7: 3.31:1 type 1031 or 1041 (some '92-on 240)
1985-93 240 with B230F and AW70: 3.73:1 type 1031 or 1041 (some '92-on)

Thanks for the list of rear-end ratios! Must have taken some work to put that together and pass it along. I very much appreciate it. Your list will help me in the search. But it does look like the chances are slim that I will find a low mileage car with the rear end I need. Thanks again for your help.