Hi fellas. What is the most noticeable sound when the wheel bearings start going out? This is a 1984 242 Turbo my daughter owns. Bearing have never been replaced in the four years she has had this car. Are wheel bearings hard to replace? Is a special puller and press needed? Please help.

" What is the most noticeable sound when the wheel bearings start going out?"
Raise the suspected wheel and turn it. Listen/feel for any grinding or catching or looseness.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

I don't think you said whether it is front or back - all the posts refer to front, which is much easier, and much more commoon than wear at the back.
There are basically two kinds of noise (assuming front).
One is simply a loose bearing. It is a kind of clonky noise, a bit like pushing a supermarket cart with waggling castors. If it otherwise sounds smooth and quiet when you spin the wheel it may just need adjusting a bit tighter.
The other is the rougher noise of the bearing actually failing or breaking up. That needs fixing with new bits as described.

The best way I find to adjust the bearing is to do it with the wheel on, and tighten the nut until you have very nearly but not quite eliminated all shake top to bottom. I don't think there is meant to be any pre-load, just a tiny degree of float so that it doesn't seize up when it gets hot.

No, they are cake walk actually. A set of bearing race drivers makes it an easier deal but it is nothing that a long taper punch cannot fix. The most critical parts to the job are getting them greased properly/sufficiently and getting the correct preload on the castle nut. Too much preload and it will cause the bearing to fail prematurely, too little and it will wobble around and cause the same thing to happen. If you have never done front grease seals on a Volvo they can be a little confusing, especially if you are used to domestic grease seals. Always remember when doing bearings that the ticket is cleanlyness, clean clean clean, & you can never have too much grease. If you cannot get a manual that outlines it look into the FAQs both here and at Bay 13. The tapered roller bearings that are in your 240 are typical tapered bearings that are common to almost any rear wheel drive car and all of the principles are identical and apply to your car with the exception of how the two piece grease seal goes in.

Mark

Thanks very much. What and where is Bay 13?

www.volvospeed.com/bay13.htm

For whatever reason I cannot get it to open this morning.

mark