Hi, first post here. Just bought a 2001 S40 with 43k from dealer. VERY happy with it until...

Two days of driving it and it comes out of gear on the PA TURNPIKE while my wife is driving. Fortunately, she was in the far right lane and was able to pull over. (I don't wanna think about what could've happened if she was at full speed in the left lane). She steps on the gas, the engine revs, but no matter where she puts the shifter, the car does not move.

Towed it back to the dealer...they were very apologetic and gave us a brand new S60 as a loaner. Nearly two weeks go by and they call tonight saying car is ready and all it needed was an AXLE CLIP?? "Minor repair" they say. (still under warranty) No tranny needed.

Can someone tell me what an axle clip is and is it the culprit for the symptoms described above?

Thanks,
Steve
2001 S40

 

What it sounds like happened is that the Axle popped out on one of the sides. Yes it will do what happened.
If you do some research into the history I will be willing to bet that one of the Axles if not both had new Boots installed. Sometimes when going back together they will not snap in all the way.

The Axle clip will be on the Axle shaft and when you install the joint it will snap into the joint and hold the joint ot the Axle.

 

Thanks Tech. One follow-up question: Is it normal for boots to be replaced at (or before) 43k? I have a Subaru that went 95k before CV boots needed replacement.

Obviously, the dealer is not going to give me any "bad" history on the car, and the CarFax (for what it's worth) came out clean (including odometer check).

thanks again,
Steve
01 S40

 

It depends sometimes they will tear early and other times they will last a while.