240 transmission whining

Car: 1989 Volvo 240 (B230F engine) "RWD"

Symptom: Strange intermittent Austin Maxi gearbox type whine coming from
somewhere around the gearbox/prop-shaft/diff area. Sound level ranges
from not noticeable to very loud and comes and goes with no apparent
correlation to speed or anything else.

Other Factors: If I declutch whilst going along the sound remains
and if I also declutch and knock out of gear the sound remains, if I
brake the sound remains. Eventually however the sound goes away only to
come and go again at some other indeterminable point. Also, does not
appear to be temperature dependent.

Anyone any ideas what this could mean?

Cheers,

Graeme.

 

The first thing to check is the center support bearing on the driveshaft,
it's a common failure on high mileage cars.

 

Thank you, I have the same symptoms above 70 kph seeming to go away after a
few k's (260/auto) although mine's like the noise rail wheels make when you
travel alongside a train. That does sound like a very likely cause I hadn't
considered.

 

This is probably the carrier bearing, but in cases where it mainly
happens
when accelerating or decelerating, it is probably the rear trailing arm
bushings;
worn ones allow the rear end to shift a bit, and put strain on the
carrier bearing.
That happened to us two years ago, and the carrier bearing was fine
after the bushings
were replaced.
--






http://www.albany.net/~mjc1/index.html

 

Worn trailing arm bushings will usually also cause a sagging rear end, as
well as a clunk when shifting into reverse or drive with an automatic
transmission. Both those and the carrier bearing are common high mileage
failures.

 

I don't doubt you, but our 240 had neither of those symptoms,
probably
because I have a Keen Ear for odd mechanical noises, and it got caught
early. Drives me nuts with three old cars.
--






http://www.albany.net/~mjc1/index.html

 

Not saying you were wrong, just adding some additional symptoms to look for.

 

Spoken like a true diplomat! Thank you for your past advice - it is still well
worth reading and archiving.

just my $0.02

K.P.
Canada

 

Thanks chaps for the pointers

Graeme