Big thanks to all the info I’ve gotten here over the years (with my ’68 142s, ’04 s60 and now ’11 xc90). I solved a problem that was bothering me for years now and I wanted to go ahead and get a login and share. Regarding the axle ping on my 2011 xc90 awd 3.2:
There has been a lot of discussion and debate on axle ping and I wanted to do a quick write up on my solution. This is not the procedure recommended by Volvo or anyone else, and there are a lot of different opinions on the is, but none of the other options worked for me, so I thought someone else might find the info helpful:
Per some others input I hoped to source some Cardone axles from Autozone, but what I ended up getting repackaged Surtrak. Cardone used to have an axle, it is no longer available as far as I can tell. Also SKF used to make one or both sides, and that is now nearly impossible to find even though the part number exists – you can find them on European/UK parts sites, but they are out-of-stock. The Autozone axles end up being undersized and left a considerable amount of slop between the axle splines and the wheel bearing. The axles were also much heavier than stock and would have needed to have their band’s loosened because once install they sucked in (not a big deal, but worth noting).
I ended up sending the stock axles for a rebuild at CV Axle Express in SLC, which I highly recommend. They did a great job at a fraction of the price of even the lowest cost aftermarket axles. I was very surprised to find that while the stock axles at 90k did have some spline wear on the inboard size of the splines, they were otherwise in good shape. I planned to dressed them slightly with a file because the first “fit” into the new hubs showed they overly tight, but that ended up NOT being necessary and maybe not a good idea. When the axles came back from CV Axle Exp super clean, they fit perfectly and tightly into the new wheel bearings. Would have liked to have every single component in the axle replaced but they didn’t need it per their tech and 5k miles later they are still great.
I ordered Timken bearings (Timken pn HA590462) for about $120 each from Rock Auto, these fit extremely tightly with the stock axles. There was a minor finish quality difference on the 2 bearings I received as 1 allowed the rubber spacer to go all the way in and bottom out on the axle, whereas the other did not. I fit both rubber spacers and both fit the same on both axles, indicating the non-machine fit (i.e. nothing metal bolts, seats or othewise to that surface) hole in the race on the outer-side was smaller by a couple thousandths on the one bearing. However, the bearing splines both fit the same on both bearings. I chose Timken because they make railroad bearings and I have had good experience with them in that product line. They were also more reasonably priced than the Volvo, SKF or any other high quality brand and they came with axle bolts (Volvo pn 30640878) and dust covers (Volvo pn 31340249) for the cv axle end.
The axle bolt also was modified: I used standard flat M10 washer between the axle bolt and spacer. I used a stock Volvo axle bolt (pn 30640878) with the rubber spacer from a “anti-ping” bolt (pn MTC pn 171021 / Volvo pn 30714142)— but NOT the bolt that comes with them! the integrated washer is too small to properly seat with the bearing race, other folks seem to agree with this, but again, not official, just my experience. Anyways, so I hypothesize that the extra flat washer between the main washer and the rubber spacer applies extra force on the rubber spacer, but the main integrated axle bolt washer still fit flush and tight to the wheel bearing face. Like I said anti-ping bolts integrated washers are too small and don’t make for a secure/proper seating on the face of the outer wheel bearing race which is problematic. I checked the fit with a feeler after install and the 1 washer still allowed the larger main bolt washer to bottom out onto the bearing race.
The new Timken wheel bearings were installed with new bolts from McMaster (M12x1.75x50mm class 10.9 Flanged Hex Head – McMaster Carr pn 1098093A771) — these were 10 for $9 instead of $3.50 ea like the Volvo ones. These bolts had a slightly larger flange and bolt head, but fit perfectly in the knuckle castings’ machined bolt/washer pocket, and still clear all/any moving parts in that area. Don’t forget the loctite on the bearing bolts and to torque them correctly. They are a pita to get out.
Axles were installed with grease only on splines. Once they were started into the hub, I threaded a slide hammer (Harbor Freight one is the same thread as the axle bolt) to gently and fully seat the axle splines into the hub with some force that would otherwise have to be provided by the less-than-robust axle bolts. Then didn’t fully tighten the axle bolts until the car was back on the ground on its own wheels.
Anyways, I thought this would be of interest as consensus seemed to be previously that the splines would wear enough to make quiet operation/re-use impossible, but what seems to be the case is that if caught early enough and paired with a new high quality wheel bearing, the “right” anti-ping bolt arrangement (stock bolt, w/space + steel washer), proper seating of the axle rather than relying on a tiny bolt to do the seating, it seems to have solved the problem.
Total cost was much less than the the price of 1 new Volvo axle, so I think its worth it. Can’t get back the hours if not days of my life trying to figure out how to solve this problem without spending +$2000. Also worth considering that maybe the culprit in the ping event is the worn hub race, combined with a less than perfect “anti-ping” bolt setup, so maybe this will be helpful to someone.
Options for Axle Rebuilders (price each / per side:
CV Axle Express $80 – 140
Star Axle Rebuilders $80
V&V Axle $75
JJ Axle Supply $220
Volvo Axle Bolt – Volvo pn 30640878
CV shaft end Seal Mudflap – Volvo pn 31340249
Front wheel bearing/hub – Timken pn HA590462
Anti-ping bolt – MTC pn 171021 / Volvo pn 30714142
M12x1.75x50mm class 10.9 Flanged Hex Head – McMaster Carr pn 1098093A771
Washer – M10 /3/8 stainless, generic, flat Doorman pn
Good luck out there.