I just returned from a Volvo dealer for the ETC software upgrade and a check on the underside of my 2000 V70XC. A few weeks ago a private garage told me that my "front viscous coupling boot" was missing. He said that the boot alone was not available and I'd have to order a whole assembly for $1,000 + $500 labor to install. He said that it wouldn't cause any problems for a while but as dirt and grit got into the joint, it would wear out and need to be replaced.

This sounded a bit suspisious to me, so I took it in to the dealer (had to anyway for the ETC software upgrade) and had them look at it. I asked the service manager to just put the car up on a lift, inspect the drive train and pay special attention to the "boots" to make sure everything was ok.

Mark at Annapolis Volvo (in Maryland) brought me into the shop to show me under the car. He noted to me that the front CV boots were just beginning to show signs of leakage, but that everything else looked fine. I then asked him if the viscous coupling boot was ok. He took me back to the center-rear of the car to look at the viscous coupling and said it was fine and that there was no boot on it. I then told him about the private garage diagnosis. I verified with the parts department that there is no such thing as a "viscous coupling boot".

BTW, the private garage had rotated my tires and put the rear tires on in the wrong direction (directional Yokohama Avids). I had planned to then take the car to the private guy (who said over the phone that he would switch the tires back the right way) after finishing at the Volvo dealer, but did not want him near the car again! Mark at Annapolis Volvo corrected the tires for me. They then washed my car and sent me away without charging a dime.

Does anyone have advice on what I should do next? Should I contact the BBB? I hesitate to name the private garage in this message in case there is some slim chance that they were not intentionally trying to rip me off.