- Edited
So you guys know my 2002 XC has been having trans issues for a while now, but the other day it finally called it quits.
At the moment, it has an Aisin AW55-50SN installed, with the A stamp valve body. V/B got rebuilt, and it died the next day. Rebuilt the V/B a second time, nothing.
I suspect it may have been my fault. The rebuilt V/B sucked up a lot of trans fluid (cos it was empty when installed) which resulted in the gear portion running low, possibly dry. Result is the loss of reverse, 1st and 2nd. I did have third for a while. But after using 3rd to drag the sorry ass back home again, it too has now died. You could smell the burning clutch disks, not to mention the smoke coming from the trans and the very black fluid (that had being bright red only 30 minutes prior).
You live you learn I guess.
So,
Option 1: Rebuild the gear portion
I have a spare AW55 FWD laying around, and I had a crack at tearing it apart today, not the hardest thing in the world. Lots of parts to keep track of and Im thankful I could do a practice one first, but it seems pretty straightforward. I have a pretty good attention to detail so Im confident with it. I found a rebuild kit with all the clutch discs, steels, a new filter, 3rd gear band and seals and so on on eBay for about $800 including postage. This option is more tempting as I have already invested $700 into a rebuilt valve body.
Option 2: Swap to the factory 5 speed manual
If I can find one, which shouldn't be too hard there are actually a few around at the moment, AWD is a bit harder but nonetheless it can be found. Also not too expensive, and the rest of the bits (shifter, shifter arms, pedal box, hydraulic system etc etc) can be easily found as well. Tempting, probably looking at about $2000-$2500 for that.
Option 3: Swap to an M66 6 speed manual
Found a few AWD ones also online but overseas. This is where I suck up to my friends dad who owns a freight company I guess. The gearbox itself isn't TOO expensive and is, they claim anyway, brand new. However, they say its for the P3 XC70 with either the T6 or D5 motor. But I figure these motors, especially the T6, come from the modular family and would share the same bolt pattern anyway, no? Finding one for a T5 could be interesting is all Im saying. My other concern is finding a 6 speed shifter for it, and the linkages. Im assuming the pedal box, clutch and hydraulic system can all be used off a 5 speed model. My other other concern is that the angle gear for my all wheel drive system might be incompatible. Borrowed the VIN number from Marks old V70R (2004 model) which has an M66 and put that in VIDA, which tells me the angle gear is different and has a different part number than the one in my car, cos mine is a Volvo system and the newer ones are Haldex. Obviously the M66 was designed for Haldex but Im not sure if this would necessarily mean they are incompatible? Im thinking this would be at least 3 grand, and not convinced I really want to put that kind of money into it. But considering to pay a professional to rebuild my stupid auto is at least 3k, its a tempting option.
My other concern with both manual conversions is driveshafts. Im assuming the current auto ones won't fit, so allowing an extra about $500 for new driveshafts. But finding ones for an M56 probably not an issue, so Im hoping (praying) the M66 ones will be the same. Cos V70R driveshafts for the M66 are not cheap at all.
As I said, option one is the most tempting because its the easiest, cheapest and Ive already invested money down that path, and I figure it should buy me a few years at least and if it dies again, Ill be more experienced to tackle a manual conversion, hopefully. But, on the flip side, I might be able to get some of that $700 back and its not a big deal in the big picture anyway, especially if converting to manual guarantees a long future of reliability.
All thoughts and opinions appreciated. No, crushing it or selling it is not an option.
At the moment, it has an Aisin AW55-50SN installed, with the A stamp valve body. V/B got rebuilt, and it died the next day. Rebuilt the V/B a second time, nothing.
I suspect it may have been my fault. The rebuilt V/B sucked up a lot of trans fluid (cos it was empty when installed) which resulted in the gear portion running low, possibly dry. Result is the loss of reverse, 1st and 2nd. I did have third for a while. But after using 3rd to drag the sorry ass back home again, it too has now died. You could smell the burning clutch disks, not to mention the smoke coming from the trans and the very black fluid (that had being bright red only 30 minutes prior).
You live you learn I guess.
So,
Option 1: Rebuild the gear portion
I have a spare AW55 FWD laying around, and I had a crack at tearing it apart today, not the hardest thing in the world. Lots of parts to keep track of and Im thankful I could do a practice one first, but it seems pretty straightforward. I have a pretty good attention to detail so Im confident with it. I found a rebuild kit with all the clutch discs, steels, a new filter, 3rd gear band and seals and so on on eBay for about $800 including postage. This option is more tempting as I have already invested $700 into a rebuilt valve body.
Option 2: Swap to the factory 5 speed manual
If I can find one, which shouldn't be too hard there are actually a few around at the moment, AWD is a bit harder but nonetheless it can be found. Also not too expensive, and the rest of the bits (shifter, shifter arms, pedal box, hydraulic system etc etc) can be easily found as well. Tempting, probably looking at about $2000-$2500 for that.
Option 3: Swap to an M66 6 speed manual
Found a few AWD ones also online but overseas. This is where I suck up to my friends dad who owns a freight company I guess. The gearbox itself isn't TOO expensive and is, they claim anyway, brand new. However, they say its for the P3 XC70 with either the T6 or D5 motor. But I figure these motors, especially the T6, come from the modular family and would share the same bolt pattern anyway, no? Finding one for a T5 could be interesting is all Im saying. My other concern is finding a 6 speed shifter for it, and the linkages. Im assuming the pedal box, clutch and hydraulic system can all be used off a 5 speed model. My other other concern is that the angle gear for my all wheel drive system might be incompatible. Borrowed the VIN number from Marks old V70R (2004 model) which has an M66 and put that in VIDA, which tells me the angle gear is different and has a different part number than the one in my car, cos mine is a Volvo system and the newer ones are Haldex. Obviously the M66 was designed for Haldex but Im not sure if this would necessarily mean they are incompatible? Im thinking this would be at least 3 grand, and not convinced I really want to put that kind of money into it. But considering to pay a professional to rebuild my stupid auto is at least 3k, its a tempting option.
My other concern with both manual conversions is driveshafts. Im assuming the current auto ones won't fit, so allowing an extra about $500 for new driveshafts. But finding ones for an M56 probably not an issue, so Im hoping (praying) the M66 ones will be the same. Cos V70R driveshafts for the M66 are not cheap at all.
As I said, option one is the most tempting because its the easiest, cheapest and Ive already invested money down that path, and I figure it should buy me a few years at least and if it dies again, Ill be more experienced to tackle a manual conversion, hopefully. But, on the flip side, I might be able to get some of that $700 back and its not a big deal in the big picture anyway, especially if converting to manual guarantees a long future of reliability.
All thoughts and opinions appreciated. No, crushing it or selling it is not an option.