Hi,
I own a 1997 Volvo S40 with a manual transmission (FWD, gearbox is french made by Renault...). The car has 330'000km (200K miles).
I seem to get a slight whining noise, especially in 4th and 5th gear that appears related to vehicle speed. The noise is very similar to electric interferences heard through the radio on badly earthed cars but in my case it is definitely a mechanical whine.
When parked, in neutral and revving the engine, I don't get any noise so I guess the primary shaft bearings in the box are not at fault. The noise appears at around 70kph in 4th/5th gear and the pitch increases with speed but is quickly. However the noise is very faint and I wonder whether I'm not too picky about it or not. I have no issue selecting and changing gears, clutch operation is smooth (clutch/release beraing have been renewed 70K km ago).
The left driveshaft is mounted inside the transmission differential with a tripod and needle bearings. Since the whining appears related to vehicle speed, I have to distinguish between the usual suspects:
- secondary (layshaft?) bearings
- differential bearings
- wheel bearings
- left driveshaft inner tripod (needle bearings)
- final drive (gear whine)
I suspect the noise is gearbox related. Do you have any basic DIY procedures to identify the origin of the noise, especially to distinguish between a secondary shaft bearing and a differential bearing? Can the inner tripod (needle bearings) make a whining noise too?
Grabing the front wheels at 12-6 o'clock and attempting to rock doesn't show any play. Rotation doesn't appear rough although I get some brake rubbing. But what can I do to make sure it's not a wheel bearing?
Thanks
I own a 1997 Volvo S40 with a manual transmission (FWD, gearbox is french made by Renault...). The car has 330'000km (200K miles).
I seem to get a slight whining noise, especially in 4th and 5th gear that appears related to vehicle speed. The noise is very similar to electric interferences heard through the radio on badly earthed cars but in my case it is definitely a mechanical whine.
When parked, in neutral and revving the engine, I don't get any noise so I guess the primary shaft bearings in the box are not at fault. The noise appears at around 70kph in 4th/5th gear and the pitch increases with speed but is quickly. However the noise is very faint and I wonder whether I'm not too picky about it or not. I have no issue selecting and changing gears, clutch operation is smooth (clutch/release beraing have been renewed 70K km ago).
The left driveshaft is mounted inside the transmission differential with a tripod and needle bearings. Since the whining appears related to vehicle speed, I have to distinguish between the usual suspects:
- secondary (layshaft?) bearings
- differential bearings
- wheel bearings
- left driveshaft inner tripod (needle bearings)
- final drive (gear whine)
I suspect the noise is gearbox related. Do you have any basic DIY procedures to identify the origin of the noise, especially to distinguish between a secondary shaft bearing and a differential bearing? Can the inner tripod (needle bearings) make a whining noise too?
Grabing the front wheels at 12-6 o'clock and attempting to rock doesn't show any play. Rotation doesn't appear rough although I get some brake rubbing. But what can I do to make sure it's not a wheel bearing?
Thanks
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