S 60 Sounds like bad wheel bearing, but???

Al · Post by Al » 22 Mar 2005, 15:30

I have a 2002 S60 non-turbo with 60k that seems to have a noise much like a wheel bearing going out. It sounds like a single ball bearing being being stirred or rolled arround in a metal cup at high speed. It starts at just over 20MPH and stays very constant beyong that. It does not actually appear to be a wheel bearing since the noise doesn't change while making high or low-speed turns.

On very smoth pavement the noise all but dissapears and is only slightly resonant in the background. It is coming from the front left side of the car as I can lean my body to the right while driving and the sound lessens. As a passenger you can not hear it...wierd hu?

The car handles and goes through gears as smooth and normal as always but this noise is disturbing at least.

Anyone know a sequence to start with. I'm thinking a trip up the lift to see if anything is touching and creating the noise such as possibly a loose shrowd or cover etc.

Are there engine or crossmember mounts that might creat such a noise?

A little stumped...thanks!!!

New Volvoer · Post by **New Volvoer** » 14 Apr 2005, 12:53

Same problem,Same car and almost the same miles. It is driving me nuts. someone please tell me what it is,I am in Orlando,Fl and how much does this cost to repair. I have only had this car for a week.

brianf · Post by **brianf** » 14 Apr 2005, 21:39

Don't let it go. Take it in now before it gets worse. Waiting will cost more$$$ down the road.

brianf

Al · Post by Al » 18 Apr 2005, 14:26

Thanks Brian and Newvolvoer,

Any ideas???

Where to start hunting for this??

My car continues to run absolutley perfect, no signs of anything out of order, no shaking in the front end, perfect transmission sifts etc. etc.but the noise also continues...drats!!!

This week I will get it up on the lift and take a look under to see if anything is out of place or possibly a bad motor-mount or any other mount.

I understand the transmission or at least a major portion of it is on the left side of the engine, looks like it might have a large bearing in that location.

I have put the trans in neutral at 60mph. and no difference the noise is still there. I do not dare turn of the ignition off at high speed to test to determine if it's engine related but I would sure love to try it. Since I don't know what would happen(possible lock-up or other) I will not attempt this test at this time until I know a bit more, but that would be very telling.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to SAFELY test for this problem???

Thanks for responsing.

Al

brianf · Post by **brianf** » 19 Apr 2005, 18:53

Let the dealer check it!!!! Please.

brianf

Al · Post by Al » 21 Apr 2005, 13:42

Brian,

Your right of course, and I agree it needs to go in the shop.

I tried one test to rule out the drivetrain, engine and transmission etc. I found a quiet road and put the trans in neutral while coasting I turned the ignition off one click to shut the engine down temporarily. The humming noise persisted so I have to assume it may be a wheel bearing. The noise seems to resonate through the front-left wheel very much like a wheelbearing or some other moving part of the front-end.

Armed with this new information I can at least assist the shop in narrowing things down a bit. Also, whenever I come upon a very smooth portion of road the noise all but disapears, only resonating faintly into the background.

Well, that's it for now...thanks for responding.

Al

Dwight · Post by **Dwight** » 26 Jun 2005, 22:59

Since it is quiet on a smooth road, you most likely need to have them replace the upper McPherson bearings (NOT the strut itself). These are rubber and really make a racket when they wear out. It cured the problem in both my S70s. Somewhat pricey due to the labor. Do them both (left & right) for about $200 if I remember; probably double if you have a dealer do it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Aug 2005, 08:13

i just picked up an '02 S60 AWD on saturday and I'm experiencing something very similar. I thought it sounded like a wheel bearing problem or a cupped tire but the dealer says it's just tire noise. If it was tire noise why would the sound only come from the driver's side ?

If anyone finds a solution or has any more info please let us know. thanks!

eyeguy · Post by **eyeguy** » 12 Sep 2005, 09:25

it sounds like the weel bearing to me . I just replaced one myself.

150.00 Part and about two hours work. the bolts have a strange head but a normal metric socket will fit it if you drop the spindle from the strut and remove the C/V axle.

eye guy · Post by **eye guy** » 12 Sep 2005, 09:29

By the way the bearing comes as a hub assembly. You cannot get just the bearing. If you dont mark the strut well and even if you do you will still need a front end alignment. So you may consider doing both sides. I have a 95 850 so it is front weel drive.