G/box: 4 speed M41: Drivetrain diff..wheel bearing noise.?

[honestjoe]

Hi guys driving home the other morning a strange sound sound began to present itself..it would come and go..its the kind of noise that makes you think i had better get to the bottom of that and quick!...The only way i can describe it is a guy or gal playing a jug or blowing the top of a bottle!..i swear thats what it sounds like...perhaps accompanied by a little vibration..i"m kind of hoping its the middle driveshaft bearing that is dry..I dont want to hear anything about the other two!..Seriously though any thoughts welcome.hj...just has a thought about the sound...harmonic?

[140]

Worth Checking the prop centre bearing

[Othen]

The prop shaft centre bearing does sound like the most likely culprit. It is pretty easy to change, this might help:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...postcount=1888

Good fortune,

Alan

[honestjoe]

Thanks Alan..a great help..i"m going to try and get some lube into existing bearing .hj

[Othen]

Originally Posted by honestjoe

Thanks Alan..a great help..i"m going to try and get some lube into existing bearing .hj

Hi HJ,

I'm not sure that will work because as you may see from the photo in the link, it will be a sealed bearing.

It might be worth taking it apart but not pulling the bearing off yet so you may identify the it (either read the number on it or measure the ID, OD and width) as Mr Volvo used several sizes of shaft and bearing over the years. If you search backwards from the post I sent you a link to I think there is some discussion on this matter). If you do that you could then try spraying a bit of grease, but it probably won't get past the seals at the sides. You could pull the bearing off and soak it in some engine oil, then re-fit it. That might well work, but the danger is the bearing might fall apart when you pull it off, in which case you would be a bit stuck until the new part arrived.

This is a really simple job that takes less than an hour (if I remember correctly) and doesn't need any special tools. The bearing will be really cheap (a few pounds from a machine factor - there is no need to buy one in a Volvo box, bearings are bearings *). My advice would be just to get a bearing and change it, which will take less time than trying to lubricate the old one and will last another 40 years. It is up to you though .

Good fortune, let us know how you get on.

Alan

*: this is a cut and paste from the post in the link I sent you regarding sourcing a new bearing:

A word of caution, there is nothing special about this bearing, it isn't made specially for Volvo, it is just a normal common or garden 6007-RS that can be bought cheaply from any machine factor. I say that because I see plenty of them being advertised online for £25 and more as genuine parts, but will be identical to the one I got for £4 in a plain box from a machine parts factor in Northants.

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by Othen

Hi HJ,

I'm not sure that will work because as you may see from the photo in the link, it will be a sealed bearing.

Not completely sealed - as I've explained some time ago in a previous discussion, you can lever up the plastic seal a fraction with a small screwdriver, enough to poke the nozzle of an oil can inside the bearing.

It involves no dismantling other than pulling back the rubber support doughnut for access, and totally cured the noise problem. The car had already done about 200,000 miles, and it went on to do well over 400,000 miles before I scrapped the car.

[Bob Meadows]

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/?g...RoCx8kQAvD_BwE

https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/3-Phas...-Motors-3293-c

Both companies are good:~ As above these are the type of company to use for such items (avoiding the middle man to include Mr Volvo)

Whilst sealed bearing can be dismantled, metal & plastic caged, in this instance I would replace as cost and access isn't a real problem.
Also as previously mentioned- all bearings will have manufacturing marks relating to type/size etc.
Regards Bob.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/?g...RoCx8kQAvD_BwE

https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/3-Phas...-Motors-3293-c

Both companies are good:~ As above these are the type of company to use for such items (avoiding the middle man to include Mr Volvo)

Whilst sealed bearing can be dismantled, metal & plastic caged, in this instance I would replace as cost and access isn't a real problem.
Also as previously mentioned- all bearings will have manufacturing marks relating to type/size etc.
Regards Bob.

I'd agree Bob, there are many machine factors around that will be able to supply standard bearings.

I think this is the one I used for the bearing in question:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152949624...r=452720725196

... still the same price (£4) - but check it is the right size for your prop shaft OP (if I remember correctly Mr Volvo used two different diameters and various lengths).

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

Not completely sealed - as I've explained some time ago in a previous discussion, you can lever up the plastic seal a fraction with a small screwdriver, enough to poke the nozzle of an oil can inside the bearing.

It involves no dismantling other than pulling back the rubber support doughnut for access, and totally cured the noise problem. The car had already done about 200,000 miles, and it went on to do well over 400,000 miles before I scrapped the car.

I'm in no way doubting you, but I would not recommend distorting the seal. A new bearing only costs £4 and is pretty easy to fit. My advice to the OP would be to just change it.

[Bob 1967]

The last thing to use for lubricating one of these bearings is oil.
Grease should always be used, after all you wouldn't lubricate wheel bearings with oil would you?
Changing is as easy, just identify the part first.