Hello, just got a few questions for the bricking gang.

The car is an 88 230FT sedan with the AW71 and OD.

Today was diffy fluid / driveshaft / Rear brake day.Brakes were good, lubed em'back up and assembled. The driveshaft was pretty decent, a new hanger bearing and mount as well as a minor leak and wobble out of the front output shaft/bearing are on the to-do list.

The diffy was not labeled, just the imprinted numbers on the cover and a number running bottom to top on the top right of the case.

The numbers were : on the cover reading left ro right ""3502382" and under that was "3340-1", left to right.

The bottom to top # was "1023597". Other than that, there was no label identifying the type, just a blank spot where a label had been, on the drivers side axle tube. Can anyone help me or link me to a site where I can find that info out?

As well, the fill bolt was totally stripped. Luckily there was a drain bolt on this model and a speedo sensor mounted slightly higher and to the left of the fill bolt. Off it came and I filled the differential throught the speedo hole. Using the "the same amount that came out goes in" theory, I came close, but might have overfilled it by 250 - 350 ml. or so. (sorry, i'm a metric baby)

There was no signs of leaking on the vaious diffy holes or gasket, so I assume it was in good shape. Will this overfill cause the synthetic 75w-90 to find it's way past the speedo sensor gasket, axle tube's, etc.?

I'll probably replace the oil seal on the dirrefential to driveshaft when I do the front end and hanger bearing so I'll be losing some fluid in the near future anyways. Am I safe to drive like that?

By the way, the car is properly overboosted to 10-12 psi depending on my mood....if that would make a difference in your replies.

That's easily the most fun part of the car.!! The rest of this stuff is interesting because of the end result, if you get me....fun,fun,fun...

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

Josh in Saskatchewan

"Using the "the same amount that came out goes in" theory, I came close, but might have overfilled it"

The fluid capacities of your car are listed in the owners manual, and I think the differential is aproximately 1.5 quarts off the top of my head. I'd rather overfill it than underfill it.

"There was no signs of leaking on the vaious diffy holes or gasket, so I assume it was in good shape. Will this overfill cause the synthetic 75w-90 to find it's way past the speedo sensor gasket, axle tube's, etc.?"

If it's overfilled, the only place I've seen them leak is from the front pinion seal (where the driveshaft mates to the differential). The speedometer sensor shouldn't be a problem unless it's loose. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a vent at the top of the differential to prevent it from becoming pressurized and can also serve to expell fluid if it's overfilled too far. -or I might be thinking of a Chrysler rear end...

"I'll probably replace the oil seal on the differential to driveshaft when I do the front end and hanger bearing so I'll be losing some fluid in the near future anyways. Am I safe to drive like that?"

I wouldn't advise doing this without the Volvo service manual or some very good walkthrough instructions from someone here on this board. The pinion seal is a crush-to-fit component that requires some very careful torquing. I think there are 3 different sizes and thicknesses, and different torques for each one.

It sounds like you're enjoying the car and keeping it well maintained. God bless and drive safe.
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 240 Wagon, 267k miles.

Thanks Fitz.
Appreciate the advice.

The vent tube is free and clear, that was my second choice if the speedo wouldn't work as a fill hole.

The rear seal is a more complicated proces, I couldn't find a number listing if it used a crush washer ("S", i think), that explains the need to I.D. the diffy, it should help in getting the right seal setup. thanks again for the warning!

Cheers, Josh