Volvo Maintenance Hints for 7xx/9xx - Bill Garland's Nuclear ...

The tool looks something like this:
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Flange Removal Tool
Bad representation, but hopefully it gets the point
across. I bolt this tool to the flange attached to the
rear end and bracketing it against the ground, I
have something to work against to loosen that nut. I removed the pinion nut using a 1 3/16
socket. Since the teeth on the socket were recessed in about 1/16" in from the edge, I ground
down the edge so that it would get a better bite on the shallow pinion nut. The opposite end of
the "counter hold tool" rested on the floor. The breaking torque of this nut, if torqued to 150 ftlbs,
is about 180 ft-lbs. With the nut off, I can pull the pinion flange off using a harmonic balance
puller (Harbor Freight has these) and get at the seal to replace it. Re-installing the flange is
easy: it should slide on far enough that you can get the nut back on the end of the pinion and
pull it in place by tightening the nut.
Pinion Leak: Vent Plugged. [Tip: Ted Tatham] My recently acquired 93 945 with 79k had a
pinion seal leak. Seal was replaced under warranty. After 1000 miles the leak was back. I
removed the fill plug and tried blowing into the axle vent hose by mouth, but air wouldn't flow. I
removed the hose and found it packed with mud right where it goes on the nipple on the axle.
My guess is the mud was placed there by a small wasp or other insect. This breather hose is on
the right hand side about 4 inches or so from the differential housing. It's about a foot long and
fairly thin and it comes off the top of the axle. The upper end is open and should be inserted into
a rubber grommet in the chassis.
Speed Sensor Seal. [Inquiry] I have gear oil coming out of the back of the differential where the
wires go into it. What needs to be done to fix this? [Mark Stites] You will need a new o-ring for
the speed sensor.
Wheel Bearing Oil Seal. [Inquiry:] 1990 740: oil leaking from rear right side axle down to the
inside of the wheel rim. Could this be the inside oil seal or the wheel bearing/seal assembly?
[Response: Various] Remove the caliper, rotor and handbrake shoes and the four bolts
securing the halfshaft retaining plate. Save the shoe clips. Re-install the brake disk wrong side