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Help! i have a problem with my 2004 volvo v40 when changing the timing belt. I had all the marks lined up (crankshaft, exhaust and intake cams) and when I removed the belt the exhaust VVT sprang forward about 4-6 teeth. I have read about the earlier s40s having spring loaded exhaust vvt but those were onyl 99-01 and mine is a 2004, which was supposed to not have the springing action. Also i've read that it only springs forward a few teeth. But mine sprang forward a lot, and when I get a t55 socket to rotate the cam 360 degrees it keeps "skipping" past the point where the marks align to the timing cover. how in the world do i get the marks to line up? why is my 2004 springing like this? picture for reference, there's a strong springing forward action that makes the gear go from 10 oclock to like 2 oclock which is where i take the picture. I just can't get the exhaust cam mark aligned without the belt if this springing is there.

 

update: I finished the timing job, the VVT gear was not the only one that was "springing" forward, the intake gear was too, and I put that in quotes because I now realize that's the natural motion of camshaft after it comes off the lobes. I basically just used my wrench and very delicate torque on it to get the gear aligned with the timing marks. Putting on the timing belt sometimes the gear would slip and go past the marks, but if it did I just turned 360 then realigned very carefully (making sure crankshaft mark was still aligned). I haven't started the car yet but doing full engine rotation by hand everything looks good with the marks and I don't feel extreme resistance.