Humming noise from front right?

[Bomster]

Hi all,

Just took my XC70 out for a spin (I rarely drive it, as it's my wife's car) and noticed the following:

• Humming noise from the front right
• First becomes audible around 50 to 60mph
• Noise increases in volume the faster you go (but never overly loud, if you have the radio on you would barely hear it)
• Doesn't seem to be engine related
• Nothing visible when stopped, tyre looks in good condition

Any ideas? Wheel bearing?

Would appreciate any help,

[NickP]

Most likely wheel bearing. Replaced 3 on my S80 in last few months. All noises eliminated.

Does your noise intensify on left turns as the load shifts on to the right hand wheels?

[ferg55]

Check your tires for "cupping" which is the term for when the inner or outer edge exhibits a series of dips, around the circumference. I had this on the rear of my S80 due to rear bush wear & tear, and that caused a humming noise. Even if it sounds like it's coming from the front, it could be coming from the rear as it's often difficult to tell.

[Bomster]

Originally Posted by NickP

Most likely wheel bearing. Replaced 3 on my S80 in last few months. All noises eliminated.

Does your noise intensify on left turns as the load shifts on to the right hand wheels?

Originally Posted by ferg55

Check your tires for "cupping" which is the term for when the inner or outer edge exhibits a series of dips, around the circumference. I had this on the rear of my S80 due to rear bush wear & tear, and that caused a humming noise. Even if it sounds like it's coming from the front, it could be coming from the rear as it's often difficult to tell.

Thanks gents - just had the wheel off and nothing untoward looking, CV boots etc all look intact. Swapped the front wheels round so will see if that shifts the noise to the other side... I doubt it though as the tyre looked fine, no cupping that I could see.

My gut says it's a wheel bearing. Is that a fairly easy job? And can you just buy the bearings or do you have to buy a whole new hub assembly? Forgive me if they are stupid questions, I'm very much a weekend warrior when it comes to car mechanics!

[Bomster]

Swapped the wheels round but the noise persisted. Also noted when going round a right hand corner (so loading up the left hand side) the noise disappears, so I'm fairly sure it's the right side wheel bearing.

Just having a quick Google it doesn't seem you can buy a genuine Volvo part for replacement? Is there any preference to which aftermarket manufacturer of bearings to use? I know SNR are supposed to be good, but there's a huge list of manufactures for this part at wildly varying price points...





Believe LUK also do them but don't appear to be sold via Autodoc.

[Ian21401]

Originally Posted by Bomster

Swapped the wheels round but the noise persisted. Also noted when going round a right hand corner (so loading up the left hand side) the noise disappears, so I'm fairly sure it's the right side wheel bearing.

Be prepared to be proved wrong with that diagnosis. When our daughter owned a Ford Orion ( FWD ) which developed a front wheel bearing noise we diagnosed it as the left hand side as the noise disappeared when turning left. ( unloading the left bearing ) as did most other people we discussed it with. This seemed logical. We renewed the left hand bearing but the noise persisted. Then renewed the right hand bearing and noise disappeared. Conclusion, the noise disappeared when the suspect bearing load was increased.
This scenario has since been contradicted by front wheel bearing noises and replacements on her recently owned V50 and her present XC70. Both of those replacements were done by a local Volvo indi. with OE parts.

[Bomster]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Be prepared to be proved wrong with that diagnosis. When our daughter owned a Ford Orion ( FWD ) which developed a front wheel bearing noise we diagnosed it as the left hand side as the noise disappeared when turning left. ( unloading the left bearing ) as did most other people we discussed it with. This seemed logical. We renewed the left hand bearing but the noise persisted. Then renewed the right hand bearing and noise disappeared. Conclusion, the noise disappeared when the suspect bearing load was increased.
This scenario has since been contradicted by front wheel bearing noises and replacements on her recently owned V50 and her present XC70. Both of those replacements were done by a local Volvo indi. with OE parts.

Haha thanks for that (I think!). The sound very much seems to be coming from the right hand side, but perhaps I should just change them both at the same time... the thought of doing the 'wrong' one would be the perfect recipe for a lot of swearing.

[Kev0607]

The wheel on the side of the direction you are turning has weight taken off it, the opposite site has more weight. If you turn left for example and the sound goes away, its left bearing. If you turn left and the sound gets worse, its the right bearing.

With regards to brands... SKF are very good, so are Ruville & FAG.

[Bomster]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

The wheel on the side of the direction you are turning has weight taken off it, the opposite site has more weight. If you turn left for example and the sound goes away, its left bearing. If you turn left and the sound gets worse, its the right bearing.

With regards to brands... SKF are very good, so are Ruville & FAG.

Yeah that's what I was thinking.. it sounds like it's coming from the right, but also when turning right the noise goes away, so all signs are pointing towards it being the right hand side wheel bearing.

Thanks for the tip on SKF - was literally just reading in another thread that they are the OEM for this part, so that's got to be good.

Thanks gents.

[Kev0607]

Yes, SKF bearings are very good.

Will you be tackling the bearing yourself?