I was experiencing a thumping noise while driving and concluded that i needed new CV shafts. I bought the new CV shafts and lifted the car to install them. I was trying to check which shaft was the worst when they both look good. I then checked the drive shaft that powered the rear axle. The center hanger bearing was very loose and hitting the underside of the floor. It sounded like the the CV joints were coming apart. I took the entire shaft out of the car and am now driving without it. The car sounds quieter has more power and gets better gas mileage.
I was thinking about remaking that drive shaft without the hanger bearing. Since the transmition and the rear are stationary, what is the need for a hanger bearing and another universal ?
Has anyone out there ever made this conversion ?

Another FWD XC. Of course you have more bhp and get better mpg, less drag on the drivetrain without the prop shaft.
No, you cannot reconnect the shaft without the center carrier. The shaft will flex and hit the bottom of the car and the driveshaft will quickly break the CV joints and fall on the ground. If the front of the shaft hits the ground first, then the car will try to play like a pole vault.
Just get a new center carrier and put it back together again before you sell it.

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My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

Klaus:

Took our my '98 XC70 driveshaft to repair the center bearing. One of the cv joints at the end came apart, and I can't get it back together. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bill

Just had this exact same problem. Those things come apart quite easily, and I wasn't really willing to mess with trying to fix a torn apart cv end.

I spent far too much time looking around for replacement shafts and ends. The best deal I could find was at colorado driveshaft--$85 shipped for a new CV joint end (it is easy to replace them). Most other options were over $250, which seemed like far too much to me.

Nate

I haven't been there yet. I suggest a new post so others can chime in.