vibration and wheel bearing question

se4n · Post by **se4n** » 23 Mar 2010, 23:14

I have a 98 V70 GLT with 160k on it. My first question is on wheel bearings. I just did a brake/rotor replacement on the rear and I noticed a clicking noise while spinning the hub on the left side (just the bare hub, no wheel, no rotor). The one on the right was quiet. Is this an indication of a bad (or soon to be bad) bearing?

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Mar 2010, 09:22

I'm thinking you're right on that. Do you hear any noise coming from it with the car on the road?

se4n · Post by **se4n** » 24 Mar 2010, 12:15

Well, I'm trying to figure that out. There is a roaring noise at speeds over 30, but I can't determine what corner it's coming from. The front brakes are due for replacement and they're making some rubbing noises as well; I'm doing that this weekend. I've had a problem with intermittent vibration at speeds over 65mph that seems to have gotten worse in the last 4k miles. I replaced the shocks with Bilstein TC's when I did the brakes and I thought that might help. It turns out, the ride is actually worse with the new shocks. There's now a more pronounced vibration from the rear at highway speeds and I really noticed it today. Overall, the ride is more jittery. The rear tires are pretty old and due for replacement, so I they could be a contributor as well. I put all new Sachs struts and hardware on a couple of months ago.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Mar 2010, 12:25

Jack it up and grab hold of the tire you suspect, and try shaking it directly up and down and side to side. If there is any significant movement (there will be some side to side because of the passive rear steering system), you've got a bad bearing. They're a little bit harder to pinpoint on the rear, but unless your tires are cupped or have a flat spot, that's probably why the rear is shaking around.

Blistein's will make the ride rougher, and pronounce any other underlying suspension problems, BUT you can now take corners at 120

se4n · Post by **se4n** » 26 Mar 2010, 11:23

I turns out the problem was a bent rim along with user error. When I did the brakes, I also replaced the rear shocks. I had a hard time tightening the top shock mounting nut when I put them it. I went back in and was able to get the top nut down a little tighter. That ended getting rid of about 80% of it. Just today I had two new tires installed and the the installer pointed out a bend on the inside of one of the rims. The wheel balances out, but he said it might cause a shimmy. And it does. Now on the hunt for that rim.

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Mar 2010, 11:32

Now on the hunt for that rim.

Check out the for sale section of Volvospeed (or here too) - I just got a couple parts from a guy who's parting out a car over there.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Mar 2010, 14:45

Check with jordanvw over at V.S. He parts a lot of cars and he has always be a trustworthy seller when I have dealt with him.

...Lee