My 1988 auto. xmsn Volvo 240 wagon (200,919 miles) is in the shop: a Volvo dealer with an $85/hour service fee. Here's the laundry list of issues that they say need to be dealt with:

1) front wheel bearings are shot - CRITICAL ($320)
2) trailing arm bushing of rear suspension shot - CRITICAL ($365)
3) rear pinion seal of driveshaft leaking - SERIOUS ($125)
4) rear main seal of transmission leaking ($545) & breather box leaking ($213) - SERIOUS ($758)
5) oil cap seal leaking - MODERATE (free)
6) brake rotors front and back show "overheating" (which can happen after 40,000 miles) - MODERATE (I will take care of)
7) hole in front exhaust pipe betw. engine and catalytic converter - MODERATE ($352)
8) replace exhaust manifold gaskets - MODERATE ($112)

TOTAL = 2032.00

I am hoping that someone can give me a critique of this service estimate. Several notes:

(a) After a trip from CT to NJ on Monday I noticed for the first time oil spotlets on the rear hatch (would seem to indicate an oil leak is breaching the exhaust system - but which leak would do this?)

(b) I still don't have definitive answers on what's causing certain sounds I've been hearing; e.g.,

sound #1: in the area of the rear wheels (and the subject of earlier post - http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=682681) there is a rotational, metal-on-metal-like scraping noise that occurs at low speed (< ~25 mph) and NOT while I am accelerating. It is not a continuous scraping noise; it is more like rant-rant-rant-rant-etc. It is frequency dependent. It seems to initiate when I am cornering. It does /not/ occur when I step on the brakes. That said, I have stepped on the brakes in order to slow down. It can be persistent until I accelerate again.

If I could have spoken to the mechanic who's done the diag. instead of the service consultant I might've gotten a better answer on the sound. The service consultant right now is checking on whether there were in fact some broken rear brake components. But - how likely is it that the rant-rant-rant sound is due to #2 (trailing arm bushing of rear suspension being shot)??

sound #2: a gravelly, rumble-like sound emanating from the front passenger side when I go over bumps - both minor and major. I was told in early 2002 that it was probably worn strut bushings (?). Now I am being told it is probably the front wheel bearings which are shot. Any ideas??

What about the quoted prices? Obviously, it's a lesson in doing preventative maintenance and taking the time to learn and do as much as poss. for oneself!

Brian