Volvo 240 Wheel Bearing Job (Am I Getting Ripped Off)

[jacob_coulter]

So I replaced the outer tie rod ends, and the ball joints for my '91 Volvo 240 wagon with the help of a mechanic friend, and I went to get an alignment. When I got it back from the alignment, I noticed the car pulled to the right, and the steering wheel wasn't centered. I rotated the tires to see if it was an issue with one of the tires, but it still did the same thing.

I brought it back, and the technician went over it for about an hour, and said it needed new wheel bearings, that there was significant play. Funny how he didn't mention this before the alignment. If it couldn't be properly aligned, they shouldn't have done the job in the first place and told me beforehand.

Anyway, he quoted me around $200 for the job, I said no thanks, I would do it myself. I plan on tackling the job, and then taking it back to get it aligned properly since it has a 6 month warranty on the alignment.

First of all, is the technician telling me the truth? Can you not properly align a car because of the wheel bearings? Every time I get a wheel alignment, I have to bring it back. It seems they never want to do the job right the first time, so I'm a little suspicious.

How difficult a job is this? I found this article:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =2&t=18542

Could the wheel bearing simply need repacking and "tightening", or do I need to replace them outright?

Thanks for any and all help.

[billofdurham]

A worn wheel bearing can make alignment difficult as the wheel won't necessarily be in the right line. However, that should have been checked before the alignment, not after.

Check it yourself by jacking up the front wheels in turn so there is enough room between the tyre and the ground to get your hand in. Grasp the top and the bottom of the tyre and push and pull. If the bearing is worn or out of adjustment you will see and feel the play.

If you do have play try repacking and adjusting the bearing as in the post you quote and give it the rock treatment again. you should repack them every brake pad change to make them last longer.

Are you being ripped off? - Most likely as you can get the bearings at IPD or FCPGroton for less than $40 per side. The shop will get them for a lot less than that. Which gives them a tidy profit on the labour. It is a straightforward job on the 240 and you should be able to do it yourself.

I would suspect that the alignment hasn't been done properly as the steering wheel shouldn't be off centre if each side is aligned correctly.

Bill.

[jacob_coulter]

Thanks for the response.

My feeling is that it probably does need new wheel bearings, but that's not why the steering wheel is so off. I'm just going to replace the wheel bearings and make sure they get it right. If they come up with another excuse why it doesn't go straight, I'll demand my money back.

BTW, every time I get an alignment, there's issues. The techs should take the car for a spin to make sure its going down the road straight and true, but they never do. I'm wondering if I should start taking it to a dealership next time to get an alignment. I'm willing to pay more if it's done right the first time.

I dove in and replaced the tie rods and ball joints already, so I should be able to handle the wheel bearings. I've saved a TON of money doing this myself. It's a good feeling.

Thanks again

[billofdurham]

Even if it does need new bearings this should have been checked and reported before the alignment was done.

I agree that the bearings haven't put your steering wheel off centre. This has happened because the adjustment has been made on one side only. In other words, bad workmanship. In the old day, before air bags, that was how the alignment was done and then the steering wheel was taken off and set up correctly. Not so easy to do now with air bags threatening to push your teeth down your throat.

I would certainly change the bearings, if that is needed, then go back and complain forcefully about the shoddy alignment and have them put it right.

For your next alignment find someone else but beware - dealers can do the same bad job and happily charge you a lot more. There are plenty of independents who will do it correctly.

Bill.