A few years back, I posted a solution to the shifting problems that most of you experience with the AW55-50 transmissions (5-speed automatics) that are installed in your vehicle. Typically any Volvo 5-cylinder engine has this transmission.

I was met with a firestorm of miscreants, know-it-alls, and screwballs who, with only a seat of the pants reference, attempted to discredit my suggestions. So, I went dormant on this site and basically made a fortune fixing Volvos with "bad transmissions".

As a licensed dealer and shop owner, I have a lot more exposure to cars and have fixed MANY Volvos to date. The highest mileage unit is one that we have for sale right now, an 06 XC70 with 185k miles. Fluid change, solenoid change and computer adaptation/relearn have made all of these cars shift like new. The transmissions themselves are very durable, they just need solenoid changes when they start shifting hard.

If you are interested in learning more, contact me via PM and I'll give you the overview. For those who have other opinions, I would venture to say that I have fixed more of these than anyone else with 100% positive results so far. Now, if the transmission is slipping, forget it, you need a rebuilt unit.

 

Hi Tony,

Glad to see you're back. I recall that thread several years ago and just couldn't understand people's attitudes.

I had a 2003 V70 2.5T with AWD. I read a lot of posts on these transmissions and am familiar with the B4 servo, etc. I changed the AT fluid at 50K and 100K miles. Tranny worked great. Then a few weeks ago at 140K miles it got hit and was totaled.

This morning I test drove a 2008 XC70 with 114K miles. Once or twice on surface streets there was a funky/bump when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Definitely not all the time though. I did not detect any slipping. I don't know exactly which trans is in this car but, it is a 6 speed, not 5 speed.

Any thoughts? Would a fluid drain and refill possibly remedy this?

Many thanks sir

Bob
PS: there is a trailer hitch on the car but, could not tell if it was used frequently