growling noise from?

Post by **tridents65** » 13 Jan 2012, 17:36

Bought a 2006 S-80 with turbo. I thought the sound I heared was the the turbo since I've never had one. Now I think it is comming from the power steering pump. I can tell the sound I'm hearing is from that area (front pass. side of the motor). The punp sits above the alternator which sits above the A/C compressor. It may be a bearing, I don't know.
My plan is to take off the serpentine belt and spin the three different pulleys and try to feel for one of them dragging. If that doesn't do anything I will start the car (with the serp belt off) just to make sure I don't hear the noise anymore. If I don't hear anything then it must be one of the three. What should I do next to figure out which is making the noise. I have turned the A/C on and off and no difference in the noise is heared.

BerniniCaCO3 · Post by **BerniniCaCO3** » 13 Jan 2012, 18:19

sounds like a good plan, if it's a pulley bearing on any of the three.
If it's the power steering pump itself -- and that's probably one of the weaker accessories, to be honest-- then it should get louder when you load up the pump pressure (hard parking lot maneuvers).
But more often, the pumps just leak.

Could it also be an idler pulley or the tensioner/ tensioner pulley?

Maybe the fastest and easiest ways is to get yourself a dirt cheap stethoscope --they all seem to do the job-- and while the car is running probe each accessory in turn and see where it's loudest!

Worn bearings aren't always obvious unless they're spinning at higher speeds, or, you have it already out and hold it next to your ear. Just feeling for resistance will only help if it's very worn, otherwise you might miss it. Stethoscope is faster and better I'm thinking.

Post by **tridents65** » 13 Jan 2012, 19:15

I tried using a wooden dowel (a piece of closet pole) and could not tell a difference on any of the three. I had not thought of the tensioner pulley. I have tried turning the steering whell from lock to lock and no difference there. Also, When I'm driving slowly and speed up the sound also "speeds up". When I go faster and the motor is under more of a load (such as during acceleration) the sound either goes away or because of the louder sound of the motor I just can't hear it.

Post by **tridents65** » 19 Feb 2012, 18:06

Finally got the time to remove the serpentine belt yesterday. The noise I'm hearing is definitely the Alternator. I could spin the pully with my finger and hear it. Also, a little side to side play in the saft. So- do I replace the bearings (may as well do brushes and regulator while it's out) or replace the whole thing for the big bucks? I was reading in the Haynes book I have and it says if the surfaces of the "slip rings" at the end of the alternator shaft are worn or damaged, the alternator must be "renewed" - Ok, what is a "slip ring" and by "renewed" are they saying throw it away and buy a new alternator?

ed7 · Post by **ed7** » 19 Feb 2012, 23:36

It would be worth getting to know the local starter/alternator shop. Here you can put a name with a face and get your questions answered.
They can do what you want done in a reasonable amount of time to get you back on the road at a reasonable cost.
If it only needs bearings, they only replace the bearings, and they test it.
Don't overlook your local talent.
Ed

Post by **tridents65** » 25 Feb 2012, 17:48

So I took the alternator off today. I have someone who will rebuild it for me (use to own an alternator shop; now retired) for $40.00. I went to O'Reilly's and they said they don't sell any parts for that "new" of a Volvo alternator - an '06. I'll try NAPA tomorrow. If no luck there I guess I have to go to the dealer to see if they have brushes and bearings. Didn't think it would be a big deal chasing down parts.

Post by **tridents65** » 29 Feb 2012, 18:48

Never could find any info on the bearings. Took the alternator to the guy who said he could replace them for $40. When I picked it up he said he could only get the rear bearing which is a common one. He could not locate the front one. Luckily, it turned out it was only the rear that was bad. He charged me $15.00. I put it back on and everything sounds good. I did ask the dealer what bearing the front was- They don't know, they will only replace the whole altrenator. Glad my dad taught me how to turn a wrench.