Angle Gear Revisited - w/ Pics

**clemstock** · 02-12-2007, 08:29 PM

Okay, I've searched and read several threads about the infamous angle gear. I just wanted all of your opinions about this. I coudn't get my pictures small enough to post here so you are going to have to go to my blog that I created to have a look. It's clear to me that the angle gear seal is shot. I was wondering if that is a repair that a "do it your selfer" could handle. Would I have to pull out the right drive shaft in order to pull out the angle gear housing to access the seal/gasket? HubbardWoods here in Chicago (indy volvo specialist) wants $325 to do the job so I'd like so save some money. I can't seem to find a good "how to do it" anywhere?

My next question is seen in the second picture. There oil leaking from that component. Is that the turbo? Whatever it is, it is directly above (about 1 foot) the angle gear housing, which can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the picutre. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Click on the link below to see the pics:

http://chicagovolvo.blogspot.com

**jesse850GLT** · 02-12-2007, 09:06 PM

second picture is of the turbo

**MoeB** · 02-12-2007, 11:38 PM

The oil on the turbo is probably an oil line leak. Apparently a common problem. Mine is doing the same thing. Not sure how to get to it and fix it. It's hard to see the oil line at the angle your pic is shot from, but here's another view (line has green thing around it):

I've seen exploded diagrams of the angle gear somewhere on this site, but I haven't found any detailed instructions for seal replacement either. I'm gonna need to do the same down the road. Maybe BillAileo or Willy or somebody will whip some of their VADIS mojo on us for these fixes.

**volvoshad** · 02-13-2007, 02:39 PM

Leaks from the oil return line on the turbo have been common since the 850. That was a pretty easy fix, but on the AWD cars, it is a long reach.

Mine has a drip similar to MoeB's. Since it is a minor leak, I have just left it alone.

I am pretty sure Art had his bevel gear seals/vent replaced, but I can't find the post. Maybe he can give you an idea of the job necessary.

**clemstock** · 02-13-2007, 04:25 PM

So I made some calls to the dealer about the angle gear/bevel gear and I found out something interesting. The chicagoland dealers are telling me that the angle gear is a "non-serviceable part" and that if I wanted to fix it I would need to replace the entire casing for only $2500. What a bargain? Would they throw in a tranny too? Hubbardwoods said that they had a fix for it because they quoted me $325 to fix it. Not sure what the fix entailed though. I asked about the turbo return line leak at some dealers and was getting a quote around $250. Some indy places were quoting $100.

Since it is non-serviceable, I was thinking that maybe I would just keep an eye on the fluid level and top it off at every oil change to avoid problems in the future. Mobil1 75-90? What do you guys think about that?

**BillAileo** · 02-13-2007, 04:50 PM

Sorry, if your angle gear is indeed "shot" then I'm afraid that what you are being told by the dealer is accurate. To the best of my knowledge, VADIS does not describe any work inside the bevel gear or detail any of its internal components. These components simply do not appear to be available other than as part of a replacement unit. All that is dealt with in VADIS in regard to servicing is the replacement of the bleed value. VADIS does include in its parts listing the various seals and O-rings where the bevel gear mates with other components but thats about it.

Bill

**volvoshad** · 02-13-2007, 08:20 PM

I think Clemstock's bevel gear seal is shot, not the gear itself. Like our infamous trannies, the bevel gear is non-serviceable, and must be replaced if broken. As I recall, the bleed valve, which is a vent, gets plugged leading to seal leaks. Same principle as the plugged flame trap in the NA 850 leading to rear main seal leaks: if pressure can't be equalized on both sides of a seal by way of a vent, fluid will be forced through the seal.

Please check VADIS - I am pretty sure that the bleed valve and seal can be serviced, but removal of the gear housing is required. The $325 charge must be for this procedure. To check the gear oil level, pull the fill plug - the oil should be at that level. You may fill with Volvo gear oil, or synthetic 75W 90 gear oil, such as Mobil 1. Instructions for changing the oil are in the resources section of the volvoxc.com.

**BillAileo** · 02-14-2007, 05:15 AM

Volvoshad,

As I stated in my earlier post "All that is dealt with in VADIS in regard to servicing is the replacement of the bleed value." I had misread Clemstock's initial post as saying the gear was "shot" but what he really said was a seal was shot. You are correct that the instructions for doing the vent replacement require removal of the bevel gear, and that requires a fair amount of work that could justify the $325 tab. And yes, new seals could be installed in the course of doing that work.

Bill

**swedeng** · 02-14-2007, 06:41 AM

Call this guy:

Wolverine Transmission
1904 Packard St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-3314

Ask for Lou

He located and replaced all the bearings and seals and the car (2000 XC) is back on the road, without a whine. He may offer to rebuild yours.

**tranmkp** · 03-20-2007, 08:13 AM

Doing my modification of the bevel gear - my mech told me it was a no brainer for anyone who has worked on transmissions.

The poster above is correct - vent gets clogged. BG is splashed lubed. Lots of pressure. Pressure will blow seals. I put in a vented loop.

I dont want to get in a s--t fight with anyone but I have my doubts about the tire size issue. Short of some idiot putting a huge tire on the car. I ran a size larger on one tire on the back of my car. I took temp readings of the BG with stock and with the larger tire. There was no difference. This was on a 90 mile trip.

Keep the BV filled, vented and cooled and all will be well.