I have a 91 240 5-speed with 250k on it. It started making noise at the right rear wheel, a scrapping sound especially on right turns. It would continue to do it on straights, and would stop on left turns. I first changed the brakes which did nothing. I then pulled the rear axle in order to change the bearing. I really didn't pay much attention to in/out play at that point. I changed the axle bearing, both seals, and the spacer. When I put it all together it has too much in/out play, like 3/16" or so. The noise has changed but is still there. I also noted that when it is making the noise I can change it by easing up on the parking brake. It is like there is another spacer that is missing or something. I tried to compare old/new parts and they look very close from a dimension standpoint. I pressed the new bearing and spacer on to the shoulder in the axle. Now I am wondering if the in/out play was not a major factor to begin with. Anyone have ideas for me to try??

This is a very interesting story of your observations then locating the loose bearing in the axle housing.

The in and out play sounds a bit excessive to me too.

Scrapping sound?
A bad bearing is more like a roaring sound, IMO. I’m thinking along with the other posters and may like to add that it could be your driveshaft center support bearing. They can go out with a high pitch squeal or a grinding roaring sound. The turning and applying the brakes makes the whole axle shift. So, I see where the other posters are steering their thoughts.


If there is that much axle movement there, it must be effecting the location of the disk rotor to the insides of the rear caliper. This movement would relocate the rotor drum to the emergency brake mechanism also. The shoes of the emergency brake end up rubbing onto any grooves or internal face in the drum.

Since this is a parking brake for the most part there should not be much of a groove. There should have been some signs of it on the inside of the drum/rotor or on the shoes themselves. Only way I could figure scraping sound. You pulling on the brakes might center up the rotor. So would the use of the caliper brakes. Are there any scrape marks? Puzzling to say the least!

The axle floats on the spline in the center so the housing can grow in length as it warms up. The bearing has to be locked in place in the outer housing of the axle. It’s between the retainer and a shoulder in the housing.

I know you think the same way on this. It is the fit up in the housing you are after. The outer race of the bearing that you are describing is shifting or slipping. The bearing is tight on the axle.

It may be possible that there is a machining change/error on the depth to the shoulder inside the axle. Spacers are used for adjustment in the case of mistakes or accumulative length tolerances and to save the housing from being scrapped! Sometimes they are used to get clearance for the bearing to clear other obstructions near by. You may want to look for that too.

I think I would be like a dentist or machinist and do a measured filling.

Go for a 1/16" maximum total play to near zero. You don't want to buckle the seal/ retainer plate when bolting it back up.

Phil

Before you do any of that, I would check your exhaust mounts.

Lots of issues with my 740, and the 240 I just picked up is making a similar scraping noise. Would be worth checking.

The 240 I have also has lots of issues, including very worn rear suspension bushings.

Maybe you can replicate the noise if you move the exhaust by hand.

Good Luck
William
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

It might be a worn TAB or some other rear bushing letting the rear axle move around in the turn. A shot TAB can cause all sorts of bumps and thumps coming out of turns and when you accelerate. Not to mention that slight wandering sensation at higher speeds on a straightway. Besides the TAB there are other bushings back there on that axle that can wear out and let things thump and bump.

Might be worth getting the pumpkin up in the air, getting both jack points on stands, and then getting a bit of light on the subject. Pull the tire off the side where the noise seems to be coming from and see how much play the axle has from front to back. Don't get too carried away with the car on the jack stands, you feel side to side sway and that points to TAB.

Then as already suggested check things like the rear brake shoes and the e-brake pads. They are hidden behind the rotor and get missed since they are out of sight.

Good Luck,

Paul

How are the Pads on the E-brake? I hear they delaminate from the Metal piece and can drag in the Drum part of the Rotor.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html

OK thanks guys for all your help it gave me a lot more things to check out. But here is what I think I found. Going from the outside of the wheel you first have the mounting flange that holds the axles in. Next you have the outer seal. Then next is a thin (approx 1/8") ring, followed by the bearing and then the outer race. This ring did not come with the new bearing, and is not even shown in a drawing I had a dealer fax me. It as a thin rim on it that goes just inside the race. It fits perfectly into the race capping the bearing. When I pulled it apart I don't think it was mounted this way. So when I put it back together I did not have it in position. This kept the seal from having anything to fit tightly against so the bearing moved back into the seal. We we pressed the whole thing off, and put the ring in its proper position it fit perfectly and the play was gone. I now wonder if it had been replaced in the past and not put back together right. The bearing I replaced was a Timkin, I don't know what brand the factory used. Let me know if this makes sense or not. After a 50 mile trip all looks ok. Now to replace the clutch before the kid takes it back to colleg

Looks like from here that you figured out the use of the spacer.

The ring you speak of was furnished by the axle manufacturer.

The axle was made the same as all other axles. Volvo or some other vendor to Volvo, adds on accessories to make the axle, a Volvo axle.

Brake parts, any bearings with the right price and mountings are made to order by anybody for any body! The car dealer is nobody, in the scheme of things!

So buddy, I'm going to get my body out’ a here!
Phil