240 Whining Noise

Hey all, I just stumbled on this form a few days ago and now I've been searching through it like mad! Tons of good info on here, I've already learned a lot. My 1990 240DL is making a whining noise when moving. Now, this noise sounds like it's coming from the front passenger side, near the wheel, or perhaps above it, hard to tell while driving. I jacked it up yesterday and spun the wheel to see if it might have been a wheel bearing, but I didn't hear the same noise. The pitch of the noise varies directly with speed, not engine RPM, nor does it matter how quickly I accelerate. If I turn the car off while driving at about 40km/h, the noise is still there, so I know it's mechanical and not electrical. Oh ya, it doesn't happen when stopped, only when moving. I'm still not positive that it isn't the wheel bearing, but I did change the driver side wheel bearing not too long ago, but it was making a grinding noise when it went. Could it be the alternator? Does anyone have any ideas on where I should start looking for the problem? Also, from my searching on this forum, I've found likely problems to a couple other issues that I have. I haven't fixed them yet of course; but I'll get to them eventually. One was a knocking sound under the driver's side footwell that's probably related to the front wishbone rear bushing. The other was sqealing noise from the engine; drive belts of course. One more question to finish off my first post. When jacking the car, I saw in another post to jack it up at the front cross member and then place the jack stands at the jacking points behind the front wheels. The only problem is, which is the front cross member? Thanks guys!! Much appreciated. Tim

Front crosss member 

Hi, The front crossmember is the transverse bit accross the front sub frame members. It supports front mounts for front suspension wishbones, engine mounts, steering rack and front brake lines. In terms of jacking, it depends on what equipment you have, and what parts of the car you need clear access to. Crossmember lift needs a trolley jack but can lift whole front together. Stands under jack points may not work if the fitting at the top of stand is not compatable, mine are too wide to fit into jack recess but too short to fit accross it. A good alround spot is under the lower suspension brace if fitted. (round tube from outer end of crossmember to rear w/bone rear bush housing on each side). Primarily, the essential thing is to ensure that the stand location and head fitting will give stable support to the car without restricting access to the components you are working on.

Bearing fail in different ways but if you whine starts as 30 and peaks at 60 then seems to get quiter then it sure is the bearing. Regards Peter

Thanks for the help guys. Makes sense that it is the bearing. I did recently get the front drivers side replaced, so it makes sense that they both go around the same time since they have the same wear. Last time I didn't replace it myself, but I'll give it a shot this time around and see what happens. Hopefully I won't need any *special* tools. hah. Thanks again, much appreciated! Tim

Well, to somewhat of a suprise, it was not the wheel bearing... Not only that, but I couldn't even get the Calipers off! The bolts were on too tight for my non-air tools to loosen. I must have put them on way too tight with the impact gun when I changed the rotors. But I don't have that tool anymore, maybe soon when I have some more space to work I'll get a compressor. Either way, I did have the front passenger side wheel bearing replaced at a local volvo certified mechanic. Great shop, KWL in Toronto, just opened up in November. By all means head that way if you have a Volvo and you live in Toronto... So, now that my 240 is still whining, another Volvo enthusiast who I bought car off of suggests that it could be the center hanger bearing. Does anyone know what that is? Me neither, I'm looking into now. The whining seems to be the worst when it's cold and damp and in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Perhaps it just needs some grease. I haven't searched the forum about this yet, but I am about to; well, after I read all the other new posts! Cheers, Tim

"centre hanger bearing" 

Thanks for the info. The car is manual, and the noise does not change when the clutch is pressed or depressed.. Going to try and find the bearing tonight, should be interesting, I think it's near the middle of the car. I'll let you know what happens. Tim

whining noise 

Could it be a sticking piston in the caliper ? My 240 occasionally has noise from the front end when first moving then dies down & disappears after a while. Also seems worse when it has been raining, like a slight build up of rust on the disc. Regards Richard. VOC 3801