Cooing Noise

[volvo always]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

You should be able to get away with just undoing one of those cap-screws (Socket headed bolts for an Allen key) and swinging the caliper upwards so you can then slide the pads out or even just move them away from the disc.
From the sound of what you've just described i'd almost certainly say wheel bearing though.

Got one gone on my 827 Coupé, it started as a low pitched hum from about 30mph onwards and i thought at first it was the air-con compressor clutch bearing (my other 827 has a noisy one of those) until irealised i didn't have the A/C running. As the journey continued, it got louder, earlier and higher in pitch so i can definitely hear it below 30mph now and above that it sounds like the result of a breeding program between a banshee and a pig with his Jacobs in a meat grinder!

They're easier to change on the Volvo though! The hard part is working out which sort you have, some early ones can be cleaned, regreased and adjusted, the rest are renew only but fairly straightforward to do. Ebay will be your best friend in terms of price once you work out which sort you have, look for NOS/Clearance as you might get a nice deal. When i had to do mine i found a pair of NOS bearings for £2.99 each but the P&P was a tenner each and the seller wouldn't combine the postage. At that price i didn't complain too loudly though!

I'm going to take the car to my friendly garage I use sometime next week and get them to change the oil and filter and gearbox oil and they like me to supply the parts. I'll also see what their opinion is on the noise. Certainly seems like the wheel bearing.
It's been surprising the 1989 240 hasn't had any changed in my 9 years of ownership from 159,000 miles to now on 237,000. The 940 is nearly on 190,000 and covered 6,000 in around 8 months. Possibly the 240 wheel bearings are better quality? Anyway it's not a big deal to get replaced.

James

[Laird Scooby]

I hear what you're saying about the longevity of the wheel bearings. I've had my 827 Sterling for 10 years come February and that hasn't needed any wheel bearings.
The Coupé i've had about 4.5 years and although higher mileage at 144k (despite being a little newer) the drivers (O/S/F) wheel bearing is still nice and quiet.

This is a bit of a clue in fact as i discovered someone had previously replaced the N/S leg complete with spring, shock, brake disc, wheel bearing etc.
The brake disc that was on there was shot to bits but had passed at least one MoT to my knowledge.

However shortly after renewing the discs, i had to replace the springs and shocks because the one on - you've guessed it - the N/S started leaking and in any case, the spring was the wrong one for the car.

The whole point of this is if someone has previously changed the front legs complete on yours, especially just one of them, you might be in the same boat.
Unless you've owned the car from new, you're never going to know unless there is some obvious evidence like there was on my 827 Coupé but i don't think Volvo paint colour code markings on the springs and any part number stickers would be long gone.