What I have is a high mileage wagon, between 400-500k. When I got the vehicle I had the trams serviced and the kick down cable adjusted as it would not shift out of first until like 25mph.

Since adjusting the cable two things have happened. Firstly, it shifts at the appropriate time now out of first, however it's a fairly hard shift (though this doesn't bother me too much). However, the other issue to arise is a whining noise when driving. It starts somewhere in second gear. Doesn't come on as soon as the shift happens, but it starts quietly and then increases as the gears shift and speed increases. When letting off the gas the sound quiets down and when stopped, is gone entirely.

I am assuming this is a bearing of some sort? If so, is it worth fixing or should I just swap the trans (I have a parts car for such an occasion)? This isn't a daily driver, but my little restore project so if it's not worth fixing I'll just ride it til she dies. If it's not a bearing, any ideas of what it may be? Finally, could it not be trans related at all but perhaps water pump or alternator noise? I haven't tested those things as I assumed noise would be apparent even when stopped, and this noise only comes on while driving.

Thanks in advance.

 

the whine is in 3rd as well as 2nd ? it could be the driveshaft center bearing, or it could be the transmission, kinda hard to say over the internet.

has the transmission fluid been flushed and replaced any time in the past few years? if not, it wouldn't hurt to do that now. use quality brand Dex/Merc III ATF, I like Castrol Multi-Import aka Transmax Import.

 

At the time of the kick down adjustment the trans was also serviced, fluid that came out was clean.

Noise is there once it gets into second and has some speed, let's say over 25mph. Gets faster and higher pitch with speed, slower and lower pitch upon deceleration.

 

sure its not just tire noise?

 

pierce is right.
2 things could cause that noise under the car, transmission or driveshaft center bearing.

Easy test.
- get some lubricating grease
- go under the car
- find driveshaft center bearing
- put decent amount of grease on it and around(try not to put it on the rubber that holds bearing)

Do couple long drives, the warmer outside the better and see if it change anything.

 

if you do replace that driveshaft center bearing you should definitely also replace the rubber donut it fits in. one common failure mode, the bearing ceases up and is spinning in the donut.

 

negative on tire noise. when the trans was serviced and adjusted i had 14 inch wheels. soon after i replaced them with 15 inch virgos. sounded was the same both time.

i will check out the carrier bearing.

 

Do the test i told you. It won't fix anything but if it make difference or not, you will know at least what is going on.

 

another test... transmission in neutral, block front wheels, jack up back end of car, put on sturdy jack stands so both rear wheels are in air. crawl under the car so you can see the center bearing up close, and stuff. either have a friend spin one rear wheel, or use your foot, while the other rear wheel is held fixed, this should spin the drive axle. now that everything is nice and quiet, even low speed roughness should be audible. also grab the drive shaft, both front and rear halves, and push them up/down to see if there's play in the U joints and said center bearing

 

Have been experiencing a high pitch whine on my 1991 244 with manual transmission. 127,000 miles. Finally got it to my mechanic this morning and the first thing he asked was whether it sounds like the engines on a jet plane when it taxies on the runway. I said yes. He then asked if the car has ever had the center bearing done. I said no. A half hour later, the center bearing had been taken out of the driveshaft, cleaned, greased, reinstalled and the car road tested. Problem solved and annoying sound completely gone. $30 labor charge. No new parts.

 

wow that guy must be some kind of magician!
you need to keep him...

 

Yes, he is dedicated to keeping pre-Ford era Volvos on the road up here in central Maine. Given his long years of experience, he pretty much senses what is wrong if you are able to describe the symptoms accurately. Charges real time, not book. Uses genuine Volvo parts, when available. I recommend his services to any 240, 740, 940 owner in this area.