High-Pitch Whine on Right-Hand Side when Driving

efkaba · Post by **efkaba** » 01 Jun 2020, 12:03

Hello All,
I have a 1995 850 GLT 4-door sedan. Been noticing a very high-pitched whine coming from the right-hand side of the car while driving. The best way to describe the sound is that it sounds like a Dremel Tool, or maybe a small air sander. It sounds like it's coming from the axle, but can't be sure. Wheel bearing seems to be OK, I can't detect any looseness or or play, and nothing appears to be wrong with the axle or carrier bearing. This is a replacement axle I purchased from FCP Euro, and installed in 2014. Has anyone else ever encountered this problem, and if so, what was the fix. Thank you in advance for any help.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Jun 2020, 12:40

Does it change under load, turning, acceleration, deceleration - and can you try turning the engine off on a lonely road to see if it is car or engine noise?

Wheel bearings usually growl, not whine, and axles clunk.

efkaba · Post by **efkaba** » 01 Jun 2020, 13:02

The pitch gets higher when accelerating, lower when decelerating and doesn't change when turning. It is definitely a car noise, not an engine noise. I put the front of the car on jack stands and ran it in gear. Noise was coming from the right, and only while the right wheel was spinning. Never heard anything like this noise before; I've heard noise coming from wheel bearings that were about to fail, and the clicking/clunking noises from a failing axle joint. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the transmission. It almost sounds like something metallic is rubbing, but can't see anything rubbing against the axle.
Thanks

Post by **scot850** » 01 Jun 2020, 16:31

Check the brake rotor dust shield has not been bent onto the rotor. It is a fairly common issue if it gets knocked as it is fairly lightweight. It can be bent back away from the rotor easily.

The only other thing on the right side I can think of is the extra axle support bearing between the transmission and the CV joint.

Neil.

efkaba · Post by **efkaba** » 01 Jun 2020, 18:27

Neil,
Thanks! I didn't see any problems with the dust shield, but I will recheck. My thoughts were the support bearing also, but I don't feel any play or anything abnormal with it. The noise does seem to be coming from the axle, but I don't want to replace the axle if it turns out that isn't the problem. Also, I don't think it's a transmission problem. So, I will take a second look at the dust shield.

Thanks, Ed

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Jun 2020, 07:46

Given all your descriptions and the fact that it is a 6 year old replacement axle - 10:1 the axle is the problem. Be grateful you got 6 years from it!

efkaba · Post by **efkaba** » 02 Jun 2020, 09:09

Thanks, I agree, I am now 99.9% sure it's the support bearing.

Post by **scot850** » 02 Jun 2020, 10:08

I have had a few axles where the bearing seemed fine but they were dry and noisy. It is possible to replace the bearing with the axle removed. Volvo still list a bearing for the 98 and older cars. It is expensive though! I bought a Ford Transit bearing for $10 US from Turkey via a link from abscate a few years ago. It was harder to remove and fit as the axle had some welds that were in the way but careful grinding sorted that. I fitted the new bearing using a length of metal fence post with a metal cap on it.

Removing the old one the dealer did it for me, but I have seen people removing it by breaking it with a cold chisel.

Neil.

efkaba · Post by **efkaba** » 02 Jun 2020, 19:28

Thanks! I'll check that out. I'm sure it is the support bearing.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Jun 2020, 03:52

Have you tried injecting grease into it with a needle to see if the noise changes?

This is a rare failure but one with which I have always been intrigued about repair.

( We dangle mufflers here on MVS, But never prepositions.)