Whining sound from LH side > 35mph

Hello

Looking for some advice on a whining noise (sounds like tyre noise) related to road speed coming from LHS (NS). It's been noticeable for a while, but got much worse after car was left for 2 weeks when I went on holiday. It's a 1996 T5 auto.

Things I've observed:

* noise is NO worse when cornering (turning right)
* audible from 35mph+ pitch of sound is related to road speed
* Centre drive shaft nut is very tight on both wheels
* Drive shaft gators are OK
* No play on wheel when jacked (hands in 6 o'clock position)
* wheel spins freely when jacked, no unusual sounds
* no difference if gearbox is in N
* gearbox fluid is <2yrs old and looks OK
* tyre looks OK
* no clunking noises on full lock
* car feels entirely normal other than noise. (no pulling to one side etc)

Could a drive shaft make this sound, or are we looking at the diff? I'm assuming it's not a wheel bearing as the noise is not worse on cornering.

Any suggestions to isolate cause?

Cheers

Chris

I have the same thing with my V70 R, hopefully someone will have some pointers?

Does this happen at a certain rpm or just speed?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by TenaciousC

Hello

Looking for some advice on a whining noise (sounds like tyre noise) related to road speed coming from LHS (NS). It's been noticeable for a while, but got much worse after car was left for 2 weeks when I went on holiday. It's a 1996 T5 auto.

Things I've observed:

* noise is NO worse when cornering (turning right)
* audible from 35mph+ pitch of sound is related to road speed
* Centre drive shaft nut is very tight on both wheels
* Drive shaft gators are OK
* No play on wheel when jacked (hands in 6 o'clock position)
* wheel spins freely when jacked, no unusual sounds
* no difference if gearbox is in N
* gearbox fluid is <2yrs old and looks OK
* tyre looks OK
* no clunking noises on full lock
* car feels entirely normal other than noise. (no pulling to one side etc)

Could a drive shaft make this sound, or are we looking at the diff? I'm assuming it's not a wheel bearing as the noise is not worse on cornering.

Any suggestions to isolate cause?

Cheers

Chris

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Classic wheel bearing symptoms!

Is your wife in the passenger seat , I get this problem every time Mrs Whale is in the car and I boot it off the lights .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Orca2

Is your wife in the passenger seat , I get this problem every time Mrs Whale is in the car and I boot it off the lights .

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:rotfl:

Shagged wheel bearings usually change note as you swing the car from left to right , slalom style, there is a driveshaft bearing on the right hand side drivshaft which can sound a bit lik a gubbed wheelbearing too .
Its also possible for a rear wheel bearing to sound as if its a front one . Check for unusual tyre wear or vague steering .
Obviously jack it up and do the shoogle test for play .
Ps Volvo wheelbearings can get quite noisy long before they show any obvious play .

It's related to road speed, not engine RPM. From about 35+.

Cheers

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reignmaker

Does this happen at a certain rpm or just speed?


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Even with the sound not changing from cornering to the right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeeT5

Classic wheel bearing symptoms!

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I was wondering about the rears causing some kind of acoustic illusion. I will check them out.

C

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Orca2

Shagged wheel bearings usually change note as you swing the car from left to right , slalom style, there is a driveshaft bearing on the right hand side drivshaft which can sound a bit lik a gubbed wheelbearing too .
Its also possible for a rear wheel bearing to sound as if its a front one . Check for unusual tyre wear or vague steering .
Obviously jack it up and do the shoogle test for play .
Ps Volvo wheelbearings can get quite noisy long before they show any obvious play .

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Just changed my front bearing albeit on a ph2 V70. There was no change in note when cornering in either direction and no play. However the one was as noisy as hell. When removed you could feel it notching and binding when rotated.

Just to close this one off....

It was indeed the Ns front wheel bearing. It became more obvious as time went on that the noise was louder under braking and cornering right.

Cigar to LeeT5 and thanks to everyone else :-)

C