"Cyclic wind noise" coming from passenger wheel area on S40

Jonjo · Post by **Jonjo** » 22 Oct 2008, 00:05

Hi guys,

I recently bought an S40 2.0 (1999) and am hearing a "cyclic wind" noise coming from the passenger wheel area (RHD), the noise increases and decreases with the speed of the car.

I took it in and the volvo service guy charged $502 to change the wheel bearings and a few other bits around the wheel area, however it did not resolve the issue.

the car drives perfectly and doesnt seem to be affected in any other way other than this strange wind noise.

the only way i can describe it is to cup your hands and blow hard into them, that is similar to the sound im getting.

i read on another forum that on older s40's the rubber seals on the doors can make this sound with higher speeds, but even at 30kph i can still hear the noise.

anyone had any similar experiences or ideas on what this could be?

cheers.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Oct 2008, 06:26

I was going to mention the wheel bearing but the dealer replaced that, so that's evidently not it. When were the pads on that side replaced? Sometimes new brake pads can cause a rhythmic sound until they are seated well. Do you have slotted or drilled brake rotors? If so, this is more pronounced. Call the dealer and ask them about this- complain that nothing is different. I know you will be hesitant to take it to him again, but if he can promise to fix the sound without charging you anymore, I would do that (my gosh, he's already charged you way to much). The experience you had with your dealer is common among us on this board- that's why we have MVS. Many of us here have either learned to care for our cars ourselves or have found a good independent mechanic who can also do the work for much less. I would suggest that you do the same to avoid the dealer- all they do is change parts out and charge money- they do no true preventative maintenance or "fix" parts that are not performing like they should.

Jonjo · Post by **Jonjo** » 22 Oct 2008, 08:03

thanks for the suggestions mate. I did call the dealer and informed him that the problem wasn't resolved, he simply told me that the bearings needed replaced and he did that. He said that he'd be happy to look at it again but it would be as another service, i.e. more $... not a bit wonder he'd be happy to look at it again...

The pads were changed a few months ago, I will have to check them and see if there is anything unusual going on with that pad.

I think I will follow your advice and learn to troubleshoot these things myself (and find a good independent service mechanic for the harder jobs), hopefully with the help of my fellow volvo'ers

cheers!

Post by **billofdurham** » 22 Oct 2008, 15:34

Is the wheel arch liner properly situated or is it damaged? If there is a gap or a hole then you will get a constant wind noise, amplified as it gets behind the liner.

Bill.

Jonjo · Post by **Jonjo** » 22 Oct 2008, 19:09

Bill, mate, i think you may have it!

i checked out the wheel arch liner on both front wheels, both seem to be pretty well fixed in place, EXCEPT that the passenger side wheel arch is missing a plastic plug at the bottom section which attaches to the front skirt, this has left it so that there is a prominent gap between the bottom of the wheel arch liner and the back of the front skirt.

I will have to see if i can get a plastic plug or something to fit it and hold it in place and see if that fixes the issue.

Many thanks!