AWD Transmission: Transmission Whine

[RoyMacDonald]

[QUOTE=timh30;926289]Well today I've checked each wheel in turn with the car in neutral. There is no detectable play or noise present when rotating in either direction. Also did a test drive and direction changes make no increase/decrease in the sound. QUOTE]

Sorry but that means nothing, it could still be a wheel bearing.

Also it's the seals that cause the problem alowing water into the bearing and Volvo have redesigned the seal so I wouldn't entertaing anything else personally.

[timh30]

[QUOTE=RoyMacDonald;926496]

Originally Posted by timh30

Well today I've checked each wheel in turn with the car in neutral. There is no detectable play or noise present when rotating in either direction. Also did a test drive and direction changes make no increase/decrease in the sound. QUOTE]

Sorry but that means nothing, it could still be a wheel bearing.

Also it's the seals that cause the problem alowing water into the bearing and Volvo have redesigned the seal so I wouldn't entertaing anything else personally.

Roy - I appreciate that. Problem is I don't want to go changing the bearings willy nilly without some confidence that I'm replacing the correct part.

I see there is a device called 'chassis ear' that is basically a microphone you can place on suspected components to assist in diagnosis - so I might see if I can do something similar.

[RoyMacDonald]

[QUOTE=timh30;926576]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

Roy - I appreciate that. Problem is I don't want to go changing the bearings willy nilly without some confidence that I'm replacing the correct part.

I see there is a device called 'chassis ear' that is basically a microphone you can place on suspected components to assist in diagnosis - so I might see if I can do something similar.

The chassis on the XC90 is so well soundproofed it's difficult even for a professional specialist to tell which bearing is the problem. The last one I had done the garage changed the front nearside but it wasn't the right one so they put the original back and put the new one on the front offside instead and that fixed it. (I thought it was coming from the back!) I think it cost £250

[timh30]

Well I took the plunge and replaced the front left wheel bearing. As I was not 100% sure that was where the noise was coming from I went for the cheaper bearing from Eurocarparts. With the 30% discount they are offering at the moment that brought the price down to £78.12 inc vat. The bearing appears to be an SFK one - stamped in a couple of places on the casting - so hopefully reasonable quality.

Tried changing it without removing the driveshaft, but ended up breaking my 15mm spanner as the bolts securing the old bearing where execptionally tight (and thread locked). Having then removed the driveshaft (had to do this by removing the suspension strut from the steering arm as the balljoint was stuck), it was then straightforward enough to remove.

Unfortunately the couple of hours it took was a waste of time, as the noise is still present!!!!

[Carrizos]

I have what sounds like a similar noise although a very smooth sound a sort of cross between a hum and a whine but at the same speed range, it only starts once the car has done a few miles and only when driving gently. Sounds like its coming from the back to me but rear passengers say its from the front. I was hoping it might be some sort of resonance. Still less than 6 weeks old (53 plate 54k miles) and going back to the dealer for the parking sensor to be sorted so I will see what they say.

[GJB]

Would put my money on it being a wheel bearing which one is as usual anyones guess as the soung is transmitted through the car

[Carrizos]

It does sound like it might be although I am used to wheel bearings making more noise on cornering and this is constant no matter what the road does. Hoping it is that rather than transmission and aiming to get to the dealer this Saturday.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Carrizos

It does sound like it might be although I am used to wheel bearings making more noise on cornering and this is constant no matter what the road does. Hoping it is that rather than transmission and aiming to get to the dealer this Saturday.

What year is it? If it's the 165bhp I also go for a wheel bearing issue.

[Carrizos]

2004 yes 165, there is also some uneven wear on the inside of one tyre, that might support the case or might be an alignment issue, I will see what the dealer says on Saturday.

Thanks all.

[Carrizos]

I took it back to the dealer on Saturday and the mechanic suggests it is a diff problem rather than wheel bearing. I was surprised to hear him say "oh this car we thought it might have a wheel bearing problem but couldn't tell which side." Great they sold me a car knowing there was a problem, I am not exactly over the moon about that. A super hero Volvo mechanic or some such is in tomorrow and will confirm the diagnosis. I will also be asking him if the engine should have a feint whistle when starting in the cold. It sounds like an old car radio I had with no surpresser on it that used to whistle a bit - hoping it is not an early indication of a turbo bearing problem. I trawled online sites for months then looked at dozens of cars before choosing this one and still messed up.