Which V40 models have reliable transmissions?

veryloudv40 · Aug 26th, 2011, 05:11

I have a 2001 V40 with 170k miles on it. The transmission in this year, I understand, is complete rubbish. At this point it may be more economical for me to do an engine and transmission swap on this car than it would to buy a new one. Which V/S40 models have the most reliable transmissions, and can I fit the engine and transmission easily in my 2001? Oh yeah, it's a 1.9t with VVT.

chb · Aug 26th, 2011, 06:52

So you have a gearbox with 170,000 miles on it and think its rubbish? Bit harsh!

Not sure of the change year, but the phase 1 v40 has a renault box, the reverse is in a different place on later cars. The phase 1 is prone to a sloppy stick when in gear (esp in third in mine!) and the bushings on the selector wear out, but the box itself is OK.

I think a 2001 is the later box, but I see very few gripes about gearboxes on this forum.

Clan · Aug 26th, 2011, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by veryloudv40

I have a 2001 V40 with 170k miles on it. The transmission in this year, I understand, is complete rubbish. At this point it may be more economical for me to do an engine and transmission swap on this car than it would to buy a new one. Which V/S40 models have the most reliable transmissions, and can I fit the engine and transmission easily in my 2001? Oh yeah, it's a 1.9t with VVT.

ALL the gearboxes on the S/V40 are very reliable , whether it is the renault , mitsubishi , or genuine volvo which is the one you have . Your gearbox is the same as in the big heavy powerful T5 models , it has huge gear wheels and tripple action syncromesh and will handle 300 bhp easily ,so has an easy life in a S40 . I cant understand where the word rubbish comes from .. whats wrong with it? just get a second hand one and fit ..

littlehomer · Aug 26th, 2011, 10:10

Hey up,

I don't think there's been a single reported issue on the M56 boxes.

Mine is 167,000 miles old and is snappy and feels like new.

If you have a sloppy gear change, think about refreshing the gear change linkages or the clutch.

Many Thanks,

Daniel

Volvoline · Aug 26th, 2011, 10:22

Clan, do you know if it's normal in the 03 2.0T to have a small "bash" of the gearbox if you throttle up after a 3-4 second "cruise" with the pedal off ?

Sounds like it's "snapping back in place" before "engaging" when you throttle up.
Operation is flawless... Just wondering.

Clan · Aug 26th, 2011, 11:12

you might find that is slight movment of the driveshaft splines in the hub, not at all detremental and an easy fix well documented on here .

with the handbrake and footbrake on just engage the clutch to try and drive away to load the driveshafts , try 1st then Reverse see if it clunks then ...

Volvoline · Aug 26th, 2011, 11:57

Thanks ! I ha e an auto.
I removed both wheels to test the drive shaft movement.
Left is rock solid, right wiggles in and out and has some twist to it as well.

So this is my problem ?
Do i need the whole shaft or just the C.V of the right shaft ?

veryloudv40 · Aug 28th, 2011, 18:49

Allow me to explain. At 90k, my transmission developed a groan and a vibration in virst and second gears and shifting between the two became sloppy. I contacted a local Volvo specialty shop and was told that V/S40s from 2001, specifically, had automatic transmission problems related to internal clutches failing. He told me that it was partially due to a "neutral slip" programmed into the transmission computer. I had the transmission reprogrammed and the shifting smoothed out, but the vibration never went away. I then checked the axles, motor mounts and various other things and never could locate a source of the vibration aside from the transmission, which you could hear was the source of the vibration. The transmission has now been whining for about 50k and I'm shocked that it's still going. Also, the turbo is chattering, the car is smoking, valves are making a racket and it sprays oil from every oriface. I could replace the VVT solenoid, cam bearings, turbo charger, exhaust and transmission, but I could probably put a whole new assembly in for what it would cost. The chassis on the car is solid and I've never had any real problems with the car. I love it and would like to keep it, especially with all of the work I've done on the stereo system. Perhaps the technician I spoke to was a moron, but my transmission hasn't been right for a long time.

veryloudv40 · Aug 28th, 2011, 18:53

Volvoline, your thunk commonly occurs when a motor or transmission mount has failed. They are cheap and easy to fix. Have somebody sit in your car and shift from reverse to drive and vice versa, if the motor moves a lot, mounts are your problem. The lower rear mount was the first to go on mine, then the passenger side upper mount. In both cases, my car did as you described. I also have a problem with slippage in the gearbox, but that is usually when upshifting after I backed off of the throttle for a turn at very low speeds, when accelerating from a traffic signal.

veryloudv40 · Aug 28th, 2011, 19:01

Oh yeah, mines left hand drive, so when I say passenger side motor mount, I'm referring to the one on the belt side.

Aug 26th, 2011, 05:11	#1
veryloudv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 17th, 2012 22:11 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lexington	Which V40 models have reliable transmissions? I have a 2001 V40 with 170k miles on it. The transmission in this year, I understand, is complete rubbish. At this point it may be more economical for me to do an engine and transmission swap on this car than it would to buy a new one. Which V/S40 models have the most reliable transmissions, and can I fit the engine and transmission easily in my 2001? Oh yeah, it's a 1.9t with VVT.

Aug 26th, 2011, 11:12	#6
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 11:07 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	you might find that is slight movment of the driveshaft splines in the hub, not at all detremental and an easy fix well documented on here . with the handbrake and footbrake on just engage the clutch to try and drive away to load the driveshafts , try 1st then Reverse see if it clunks then ... __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Aug 28th, 2011, 18:49	#8
veryloudv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 17th, 2012 22:11 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lexington	Allow me to explain. At 90k, my transmission developed a groan and a vibration in virst and second gears and shifting between the two became sloppy. I contacted a local Volvo specialty shop and was told that V/S40s from 2001, specifically, had automatic transmission problems related to internal clutches failing. He told me that it was partially due to a "neutral slip" programmed into the transmission computer. I had the transmission reprogrammed and the shifting smoothed out, but the vibration never went away. I then checked the axles, motor mounts and various other things and never could locate a source of the vibration aside from the transmission, which you could hear was the source of the vibration. The transmission has now been whining for about 50k and I'm shocked that it's still going. Also, the turbo is chattering, the car is smoking, valves are making a racket and it sprays oil from every oriface. I could replace the VVT solenoid, cam bearings, turbo charger, exhaust and transmission, but I could probably put a whole new assembly in for what it would cost. The chassis on the car is solid and I've never had any real problems with the car. I love it and would like to keep it, especially with all of the work I've done on the stereo system. Perhaps the technician I spoke to was a moron, but my transmission hasn't been right for a long time. Last edited by veryloudv40; Aug 28th, 2011 at 19:03. Reason: bad grammar

Aug 28th, 2011, 18:53	#9
veryloudv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 17th, 2012 22:11 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lexington	Volvoline, check your mounts Volvoline, your thunk commonly occurs when a motor or transmission mount has failed. They are cheap and easy to fix. Have somebody sit in your car and shift from reverse to drive and vice versa, if the motor moves a lot, mounts are your problem. The lower rear mount was the first to go on mine, then the passenger side upper mount. In both cases, my car did as you described. I also have a problem with slippage in the gearbox, but that is usually when upshifting after I backed off of the throttle for a turn at very low speeds, when accelerating from a traffic signal. Last edited by veryloudv40; Aug 28th, 2011 at 18:57. Reason: to add something

Aug 26th, 2011, 06:52	#2
chb Master Member Last Online: Dec 22nd, 2023 10:53 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leeds	So you have a gearbox with 170,000 miles on it and think its rubbish? Bit harsh! Not sure of the change year, but the phase 1 v40 has a renault box, the reverse is in a different place on later cars. The phase 1 is prone to a sloppy stick when in gear (esp in third in mine!) and the bushings on the selector wear out, but the box itself is OK. I think a 2001 is the later box, but I see very few gripes about gearboxes on this forum.

Aug 26th, 2011, 10:10	#4
littlehomer Master Member Last Online: Jul 15th, 2013 11:29 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Malvern View Photos By: littlehomer	Hey up, I don't think there's been a single reported issue on the M56 boxes. Mine is 167,000 miles old and is snappy and feels like new. If you have a sloppy gear change, think about refreshing the gear change linkages or the clutch. Many Thanks, Daniel

Aug 26th, 2011, 10:22	#5
Volvoline Master Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2016 22:43 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JER	Clan, do you know if it's normal in the 03 2.0T to have a small "bash" of the gearbox if you throttle up after a 3-4 second "cruise" with the pedal off ? Sounds like it's "snapping back in place" before "engaging" when you throttle up. Operation is flawless... Just wondering.

Aug 26th, 2011, 11:57	#7
Volvoline Master Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2016 22:43 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JER	Thanks ! I ha e an auto. I removed both wheels to test the drive shaft movement. Left is rock solid, right wiggles in and out and has some twist to it as well. So this is my problem ? Do i need the whole shaft or just the C.V of the right shaft ?

Aug 28th, 2011, 19:01	#10
veryloudv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 17th, 2012 22:11 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lexington	Oh yeah, mines left hand drive, so when I say passenger side motor mount, I'm referring to the one on the belt side.

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