2003 -2.4T- S60 FWD
Volvo dealership tells me I need to have the right side shaft replaced. Looking on line for the part. The range in price is vast, $89 to $700. Where should I buy this axle shaft?
Thanks for your advice.

 

Highly recommend GKN (OE) or Genuine Volvo. Aftermarket applications do not meeting the quality standards of those 2. FCPEURO.COM has lifetime warranty on all returnable products (even oil) I use them for almost all of my car parts. You can also call them up with your VIN and they will get you the correct part. I have seen people have issues in the past with axles because they slightly vary between standard and automatic cars and fwd/awd.

 

You might/will regret installing a cheap axle. Some of the made in china stuff is worse vibration wise than your worn out axle. +1 on only using GKN or Volvo $$$$

GKN is the real oem on some Volvos.

Why does the Volvo dealer think you need a new axle? Torn boot leaking grease? You complain of a vibration/shaking when accelerating sometimes?

A personal story - an 01 I owned had a torn boot, so I replaced right axle twice with a cheap axle - both replacements vibrated badly. Then I put axle boots (greasy, pain in butt) on old original axle and drove for a few more years.

 

No vibrations, no noise, no shaking and no leaking under the car that I noticed. Took my car in for the air bag recall to the Volvo dealer. They did the "multi-point inspection" and I get this print out, Right side axle shaft plus alignment parts and labor $1,542 plus tax. The tech didn't give me the luxury of looking at the car while on the lift.

 

If if ain't broke don't fix it. Probably has a torn boot - you/someone qualified (probably not the guy that wanted to sell you a new axle) could put some boots on it. Or keep driving it.

 

Got the job done at a good shop. The axle shaft is a big heavy-duty piece. I saw it come in the box. Googled the manufacturer and they got good reviews. One month ago installed and no problems at all. Didn't even need an alignment afterward.
$200 cash done and score!

 

Typical Volvo - every time my car is in for routine service, I get the "technician recommends" message. At this point, I flat out don't believe them without confirmation from my indie who will, if necessary, attend to the matter for 1/4 or less than Volvo would charge. I wonder if Volvo has any idea of how much damage to their brand the dealers are inflicting case in point - this is my last Volvo.