Hi Mike,

As in other reply recent reply posts, the solid 'live' axle rear wheel bearings on RWD Volvo, including 240, are serviceable.

I had a Bentley 240 manual bible, and helping another and their 1986 240 meant mines disappeared. I get too focused on the help and not the manual left out for reference for some under hood thing the guy was having problems with.

On my 1997 imprint of the Haynes manual, you say you have both service manuals, beginning in Chapter 8 Clutch and Driveline, on at chapter 8, section 15, are the photographically greyscale illustrated steps to removal of the (left or right side) rear axle shaft. The assembley uses an outer and inner seal and an outer and inner bearing race with the tapered bearings secured (pressed) onto the axle.

Unlike the front wheel bearings and the castle nut, the rear wheel bearing are not adjustable. Over time, grease is lost, and the factory pressed in grease is lost as well as degrades. I'd imagine service interval for insp-ection and grease pack renewal is perhaps 30-50k miles? Yet the 240 rear wheel bearings go unserviced until a problem with the rear hub become apparent to the oowner / operator.

As the roller bearings wear, the grease collects the fine metal particle, and can hasten wear. As the tapered roller bearings wear, there is some movement of the rear shaft in the bearing, causing wear to the factory installed light or sea green blue inner and outer seals.

The inner seal loses, well, seal, and differential lube seeps and than leaks from the differential sump (includes the axle tubes) into the rear wheel bearing chamber. Wear accelerates and than you get the ominous drip of differential grease at the axle end, wetting the parking brake bits and dripping onto the wheel and tire.

Differential oil deteriorates tire rubber also in time.

You get to the point of rear brake rotor remval. You disassemble the parkiung brake assembly and remove. Four very strong bolts secure the axle half-shaft end-plate to the axle housing. Slides out.

You need to prep by chocking the front tires on a level surface, secureing the axle or body safely on axle stands, draining the differential, and than getting at the axle.


If a regular inspection and service, you can clean out the bearing well and cleanse the roller bearing race. Use solvent free stuff to remove any remaining grease. Though solvent-free stuff to not harm the seals.

You inspect the roller bearings and races they roll on (inner and outer) for scoring. If the bearings were allowed to run nearly dry or dry, excess heat and 'blue' the metal. Means you have to replace the bearings and seals.

Neatly Work in new grease (wear nitrile gloves) into the bearing race. And pack grease into the bearing well to around. I guiess up to nearly full, with some sort of air bubble. For some reason I recall like 2/3 or 2/4 full in the bearing well. Maybe more. I dunno.

You can find you tube videos and also threads here on your brickboard on the topic that are photo-image-illustrated.

If you are in a slat and snow reagion, or the axle hosts a long time install of alloy wheels, expect rust. And that rust can work into the four bolts securing the end plate. Take time. Kroil. Tap the bolt heads. Check for other methods to beark the factory torque / bond or (hope not) rusty-enhanced bond.

As you say one of your two 240s is leaking diff fluid at the rear wheel, expect to replace the bearing bits and seals. SKF makes both and Timken makes the bearings.

Though check with a Volvo dealer ship as to parts and availability.

When removing the outer bearing race pressed into the axle, in no way damage, nick, scratch the axle. The pressed on race seals against the axle shaft diameter. Keep this in mind should or, another, or your auto machinist remove these for you.

Many threads here on your brickboard and Turbobricks that make suggestion to remove this rear outer axle bearing race.

I have to do this to all three 240s. Not ever been serviced as they usually are not.

The only procedure I'll write all week. Huzzah.

Questions?

Hope that helps. Auf to werks - no technical procedure to write.

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