I'm an experienced mechanic with very little exposure to Volvos. I just looked at an '84 245 GL Wagon for sale at a good price, for the condition, except for the noise from the rear end. It's not wheel berings. Although surfing around here leads me to believe the wheel bearings aren't too rugged on these things. It could be the pinion bearings, as the gear noise is intermitent.

Well, I know the wagons had solid axles. I was figuring I could just waltz down to the U-Pull-It and get a rear axle assy., less brakes, for $80-100. And then it hit me thatt you just don't see Volvo wagons basking around the U-Pull-It like Chevy Novas. So I got looking around the internet and found a Volvo wrecker with a "differential" for $200. I figure I better know what I'm in for before I buy this car.

So, is it a Spicer type axle, or a Hotchkis? Is the pinion/bearing assy removable without pulling the ring and spiders, like a Ford 9"? Are there any securing clips on the inside of the rear axles, or can you just unscrew the bearing covers, and pull them out? Does removal of the axle housing from the car (if it's a Spicer), or the differetial assy from the axle housing (if it's a Hotchkis) reguire any special tools? Are all the difs one-leggers, all limited slip, or some of each? Is the 265 the same as the 245, including the gear ratios? Is $200 out of line for a differential? How much would I expect to pay for an axle assy?

Ok, I think I covered everything. :)