Another bearing gone - 3yrs old 40k miles

[catbert]

3 weeks after her third service and the same number of weeks out of warranty, a second bearing seems to have gone. After 40k miles. The dealer stated they would send a report off to volvo to see if they could get goodwill, but still wanted 90quid an hour + VAT to 'diagnose'. I just cant bring myself to be left open to a big bill. I would rather give it to a trusted independent.

So not that happy. Wheres the best place to get a GOOD replacement bearing?

ECP do an SKR bearing for just over a hundred. Is that a good make?

thanks
catbert

[ex Triumph Man]

Which bearing has "gone"?

[catbert]

I think its one of the rear wheel bearings. One went last year and i thought it was a rear, but it turned out to be the passenger side front. I guess its likely the passenger side rear as its getting the most bumps.

cheers
catbert

[Coconut]

I'd phone Volvo Customer Relations myself, try 0800 400 430, or 01628 422522.

Explain the problem and that you are not happy -
after all your XC90 is only 3 years old and has only done 40,000 miles.

Mention that you think such a reputable marque shouldn't need new wheel bearings after such a short period of time -
You already had to have one changed last year under warranty,
perhaps this is an indication that a faulty batch of bearings was used to build your car ???

Service intervals on the XC90 are each year or every 18,000 miles,
so if you'd driven the 18,000 miles each year, you could argue that
the bearing would have failed at around 2 years and 3 months - while still under warranty.

I'm sure that they will at least offer a goodwill contribution, but it depends on how you put your case
as to how much this will be, and as you've already said it's the labour charges that really sting.

Was there a reason why the car didn't go in for it's Service / check / MOT BEFORE the 3 years was up ?
Cars need a valid MOT as soon as they are 3 years old if they are going to be used on the road -
not 3 weeks later, unless of course it wasn't being used on the road, which might be a reason to argue
that the bearing problem actually occurred WITHIN the warranty period ????

( Note to others approaching end of 3 year warrantly period -
get it checked and MOT'd before the 3 year date ! )

If they want to keep you as a loyal Volvo customer, and keep returning to them for servicing, MOT, repairs etc,
rather than you going to an Independent dealer, ( I'm sure you will suggest that you are considering that as an option ;-)
then they may make what you consider to be a reasonable offer.

Certainly worth a phone call !

Let us know how you get on.

Sorry, I can't vouch for any particular brand of bearing - but judging by your own experience
would they be any worse than the "Genuine Volvo" ones that have failed on you ?

[catbert]

Thanks for your comprehensive response Coconut. I should have been more clear, but yes it had its 3rd service just before the warranty expired. I have her booked into a independent - an old school friend, who i trust. Life is too short to argue over something I will likely get sorted for little over a hundred quid.

On MOT one of the few advantages of living in NI is cars arent due for MOT till they are 4 years old.

cheers
catbert

[RoyMacDonald]

The bearings shouldn't be failing. They should last almost indefinatly.

It was a known problem on the early XC90s due to faulty design of the seals. Volvo was replacing them for free for years after the fault came to light. (out of warranty)

A redesign of the bearing cassette cured the problem for replacement bearings on old and new cars.

It would be better to get Volvo to sort it so that they can identify why it's happening again.

Find a dealer who dosn't charge a "diagnosis fee" though.