I agree with maplebones that the bearing may not be at the end of its useful life.

I had a 240 with the same symptoms. The original carrier bearing's plastic "seal" was fairly easy to dislodge enough to get a spray can straw behind. Things had to be moved to get at it but it remained in place.

I used a product called LPS3. It is sold in 11oz aerosol containers. It sprays as an oil but the contained vehicle evaporates and leaves behind a light grease. I loaded the area behind the seal as much as possible. This not only cured the immediate problem but it remained quiet for years after having two additional owners until I was able to buy it back. I then sold it to a friend who had it for several years before he passed it on to a new owner. At that point it still had the original carrier bearing.
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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal