I recently purchased a 2008 XC90 3.2 AWD. I've noticed an intermittent ticking sound from the front end when shifting into gear or moving at slow speeds. Reading up on this it seems as if many others describe this as a common problem with too much end play in the axle bolts.

I looked around and order what I thought to be the correct bolts, installed them, and torqued to spec, but I still have the noise.

My question is whether or not I got the right bolts to fix the problem. Some of these bolts come with a rubber stopper/bushing that is supposed to seat against the end of the axle shaft, but the more I read it seemed if that bolt was only for models 2006 and prior. Everything seemed to suggest the replacement for never models is just the plain bolt and washer. Does anyone else have experience with this? I'm thinking of ordering the bolts with the rubber piece, but I can't find anything to support they will work on my vehicle.

Thanks,

 

It's play between the axle splines. You can grease them or buy the Volvo adhesive for them.

 

So I assume the bolt with the rubber washer puts pressure on the end of the axle therefore preventing that play between the splines. I have read about greasing them or essentially gluing them with loctite, but doesn't that require some disassemble and removing the end of the axle to actually coat the splines?

I'd really like to know if this play in the splines can be resolved with with the axle bolt/rubber stopper combination. Like I said it appears to work on older models, but I haven't read anything conclusively to say it works on 2007 or newer.

If time weren't an issue the adhesive option would seem better solution, but I can throw new bolts in 5 minutes and I'd much prefer to do that if its a valid solution.

 

I've never done axle bolts for that problem. I doubt it will work but like you said, it's easier so worth a try.

 

Use pipe dope. Apply on both axle splines and hub. No need to glue them or adding rubber bolts.

 

Hey guys I didn't want to start a new thread here as I'm having the same issue as Silver Tank. I have 118k on my 2008 XC90 AWD 3.2 all dealer maintained and it is making that click as well. It's all driver side noise at slow speed and in/out of gear when parked. My question is do I just go ahead and install a new Axle Assembly now or just grease'em up?