AWD Transmission: - Is it working?

branwellm · Jan 12th, 2010, 15:03

Hi all

I have just bought a 2005 D5 SE XC90 and have been reading many of the messages about AWD and worrying now whether mine is actually working.

I just tried it in the snow outside of my house and, for a little while, I got a little stuck. I do live on an unmade road, on a hill and the road is very icy and the patch I got stuck in had snow which was at least 8 inches deep, so it was a fair old ask fro any car.

The main reason I worried was that some guy who was watching me said that only the back wheels seemed to be spinning round, so he thought that it was only 2 wheel drive.

From what I have read on this brilliant forum, when people have failed AWD, it is the back wheels that do not get driven so am I right in thinking that if the back wheels were spinning, the AWD must have been working and it was probably sending power to them for whatever reason?

Apart from having a good drive around in the snow, does anyone have any other tips on working out if the AWD is actually working?

The car is definately way better than our other 2 wheel drive cars (Ford Focus & Honda Accord Estate) in the snow around the village (the Honda is especially bad an cannot go anywhere in the snow) but I guess reading about other's experience does kind of worry me.

Any advice?

Many thanks in advance.

Bran

Clan · Jan 12th, 2010, 15:33

Rear wheels turning is good news ! On snow/ice all 4 can spin a little .
If the rear wheels are spinning then there is no way that drive cannot go to the front unless a front driveshaft is broken which is very unlikely.

branwellm · Jan 12th, 2010, 16:00

Thanks very much for the reply.

That is what I was hoping for.

Cheers

Phil Longford · Jan 12th, 2010, 23:26

I am really jealous! An XC90 with drive to the rear wheels. I can only dream of such things!
99% of the time, drive is to front wheels only. In weather like we are having now, you get stuck VERY easily if 4WD fails, as mine has. Huge numbers of early XC90s (2003-2005) appear to be defective.

AshleyC · Jan 14th, 2010, 11:59

Hi,

If it helps anyone we are a specialist who can fix this problem at a very competitive price compared to the main dealers.
The problem is predominantly on 03,04 and 05 cars and is caused by the bevel drive sleeve. The splines in the sleeve wear causing loss of drive and slipping to driveshaft. The sleeve and seals require replacement and this is almost always the fault.
This is not intended to canvas for work - it is to assist other owners in diagnosing the fault and to help prevent other members paying out for expensive repairs and replacements at main dealers that they may not require to fix the problem.
We are pleased to offer any advice free of charge.
Tel: 01491 681704

Jan 12th, 2010, 15:03	#1
branwellm New Member Last Online: May 20th, 2011 13:30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hindhead	Is it working? Hi all I have just bought a 2005 D5 SE XC90 and have been reading many of the messages about AWD and worrying now whether mine is actually working. I just tried it in the snow outside of my house and, for a little while, I got a little stuck. I do live on an unmade road, on a hill and the road is very icy and the patch I got stuck in had snow which was at least 8 inches deep, so it was a fair old ask fro any car. The main reason I worried was that some guy who was watching me said that only the back wheels seemed to be spinning round, so he thought that it was only 2 wheel drive. From what I have read on this brilliant forum, when people have failed AWD, it is the back wheels that do not get driven so am I right in thinking that if the back wheels were spinning, the AWD must have been working and it was probably sending power to them for whatever reason? Apart from having a good drive around in the snow, does anyone have any other tips on working out if the AWD is actually working? The car is definately way better than our other 2 wheel drive cars (Ford Focus & Honda Accord Estate) in the snow around the village (the Honda is especially bad an cannot go anywhere in the snow) but I guess reading about other's experience does kind of worry me. Any advice? Many thanks in advance. Bran

Jan 12th, 2010, 15:33	#2
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 15:53 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	Rear wheels turning is good news ! On snow/ice all 4 can spin a little . If the rear wheels are spinning then there is no way that drive cannot go to the front unless a front driveshaft is broken which is very unlikely. __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Jan 12th, 2010, 16:00	#3
branwellm New Member Last Online: May 20th, 2011 13:30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hindhead	Fantastic Thanks very much for the reply. That is what I was hoping for. Cheers

Jan 12th, 2010, 23:26	#4
Phil Longford Junior Member Last Online: May 3rd, 2011 22:22 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Farnham	XC90 with drive to rear wheels I am really jealous! An XC90 with drive to the rear wheels. I can only dream of such things! 99% of the time, drive is to front wheels only. In weather like we are having now, you get stuck VERY easily if 4WD fails, as mine has. Huge numbers of early XC90s (2003-2005) appear to be defective.

Jan 14th, 2010, 11:59	#5
AshleyC New Member Last Online: Jan 14th, 2010 13:31 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: reading	Hi, If it helps anyone we are a specialist who can fix this problem at a very competitive price compared to the main dealers. The problem is predominantly on 03,04 and 05 cars and is caused by the bevel drive sleeve. The splines in the sleeve wear causing loss of drive and slipping to driveshaft. The sleeve and seals require replacement and this is almost always the fault. This is not intended to canvas for work - it is to assist other owners in diagnosing the fault and to help prevent other members paying out for expensive repairs and replacements at main dealers that they may not require to fix the problem. We are pleased to offer any advice free of charge. Tel: 01491 681704

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