95 850 front axles

Have had to replace both front axles in the past four months, Boots were
torn open. Started to get clunking noise on the right one. 95 850 turbo
wagon with 115,000. Is this kind of early for this problem? Replaced them
with remanufactured. $165 vs $325.

 

No, my boots ripped at about that time. I bought a boot/grease kit
and did the left one myself, and by the time the right one went, the
engine needed a new rear seal, so I had the dealer replace the right
side boots while they hand the engine out. The joints are sttill in
good shape.

 

Well, I have a 97 850 and just had to replace the right front axle
with boot torn open and the occasional clunking noise. 75,000 mi.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1973

 

The issue here is the boots, not the joints themselves. The front CV joints
are some of the hardest-working parts on your car, and they're absolutely
intolerant of grit and water in their grease pack. Once the boots were
torn, it was just a matter of time before the joints went out. But with
Volvo's tight turning radius, the boots get a worked hard too. The trick it
so keep and eye on them, and have them replaced (and the joints cleaned and
repacked) as soon they start to look like they're going to crack. Keep a CV
joint clean, and it'll last like the rest of a Volvo does.

Cheers,
Walt