My 98 S70 has developed a roar in the left front wheel that sounds very similar to a wheel bearing. The independent shop that services my car evaluated it and thinks it is the transaxle, which would mean a very expensive transmission removal, etc. We are all puzzled as to why the transaxle would develop this problem, other than defective bearings. I've had the car since new, the transmission flushed and fluid chanegd regularly. The right wheel bearing became noisy about 1,000 miles ago, and they replaced that. The noise from that wheel went away, then this noise in left wheel cropped up last week. The shop took the left hub apart and inspected the bearing and it turns freely. They're pretty certain it's not the left wheel bearing, but the noise is definitely on the left side. My car has just under 140,000 miles on it.

Has anyone else run into this problem, and found a source other than the bearing?

The shop recommends I take it to an independent transmission shop they trust. They are recommending a transmission overhaul if I have the transaxle replaced, sincethe additional cost is small for the overhaul once it's out, and they can't guarantee anything unless they do that.

One last thought, my mechanic says I might as well wait and see how load the roar gets, and who knows...it may die off?

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks.

My S70 2000 developed a 'roaring' noise and a loud one when I routinely had the wheels rotated last summer. I took it back to the shop which rotated the wheels and they found no problem with how the wheels were torqued or whether they were properly mounted. I went to the local Volvo Dealer and, running up on the rack, they detected noise in both front wheel bearings (this is at about 47K miles).

They replaced the bearings and the noise persisted. It was really loud and increased in growl volume as the car slowed down to a stop. Also, it increased in volume on slow turns to the left.

Then I took the car to a Goodyear dealer to have the tires checked for belt slippage, out of round, etc., and they found that the left front tire was cupped on the outboard side of the tread. And it was not very seriously cupped either. They told me that obviously there was an alignment problem on that wheel when it was mounted on the left rear and that it would not be very audible as long as the tire stayed on the rear but that moving it to the front made it sound off thru the front suspension, steering column, etc.

Sure enough, I went back to the dealer and they found the alignment problem and corrected it.

The tire is a Dunlop and is slowing wearing the cup ridges down to a smooth surface so the noise is getting bearable now. But, while all this was an inconvenience last summer, it was also very fortunate. I got two new wheel bearings covered by warranty just before my warranty expired at 50k. Such a deal!

My Goodyear dealer replaced my Dunlop SP Sport A2 tires when they started to roar. He said it was a known problem with Dunlop tires and Volvo. My alignment was within specs. MH
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MH 1999 S-70 GLT

I would bet on the wheel bearing. I've had the left one go bad twice and it makes the noise you are describing. You can't really tell just by looking at it if it's bad.

I'd say get the wheel bearing kit and replace it. IPD sells them for $155 each.

http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=1640&NodeID=5165&RootID=629

Dan

when my right front went at 100K, when I took it off it didn't seem bad! Put on the new assembly..........was GOOD AS GOLD! I would say next stop after that would be a tire/alignment shop!