Hey everyone.
I have a 97 850 and in the last month or so i have been getting a howling speed that increases with increases in speed. I replaced this drivers side wheel bearing/hub a few years ago but back then if I loaded the bearing it got worse with noise and if i turned left in a corner it unloaded and got quieter. This one is pretty consistent with the noise turning either way. There is noticeable movement with the car in the air moving the tire side to side, up and down, and a little in and out. I can see the spindle mount where it connects to the ball joint move when I shake the wheel and thought it might be a bad ball joint but would that cause the bad bearing howling sound? There is no vibration at speed. I don't see how a ball joint could cause howling and suspect another wheel bearing. I think the movement I see at the ball joint is it just pivoting from the play from a bad bearing.
Any suggestions on how to proceed from here? I changed the previous one myself so I am pretty familiar with it but it has been awhile since I worked on this car. She has been behaving lately.
Thanks,
Rob

 

The ball joint would not be a cause for a howling. It's more likely the wheel bearing or even a CV joint that's starting to go out.

 

Thanks for the reply. I would suspect the cv joint too but their is very noticeable wheel wobble when it is jacked up and i rock the tire 3 and 9 and 12 and 6. It is starting to seem more and more like a wheel bearing but if I change it and still have the noise I will be ticked. Been there, done that before.
Thanks,
Rob

 

If you see wheel movement it is most likely a bad control arm. If you can cause wheel movement on a wheel bearing that thing would fall apart in no time.

When I try to wiggle my wheels I can't see any joint movement. With wheel bearing wear you usually feel the rhythmic thumping with the speed changes.

 

If the Axle nut is loose there will be play in the wheel bearing. Also I have seen a few have slight play in the bearing.

 

Wow, I would thing that a bearing loose enough to get movement out of it would likely wear out and fall apart in not time. Like a week or something like that. Movement in a worn bearing would be scary.

I just noticed a little howling in our S70 a few minutes ago. I was going about 45 mph.

 

Well, seems I had two problems going on. Bad wheel bearing and bad ball joint/control arm. Replaced bearing today but after stripping parts off to replace I could see play play in ball joint and feel when I grabbed it and pulled up. Movement up and down. I will be ordering a replacement ASAP. No strange tire wear pattern though so it must have just turned sloppy recently.
Thanks for all the advice. It helped me realize in the end I had just had to tear it down and see what I had going on. Nice and quiet now but for safety's sake I will need to replace that control arm.
Thanks again,
Rob

 

Really sticks when you have 2 problems at the same location. I meant to write that and kept forgetting. I drove one guys car a few months ago and he had bad control arms, bad sway bar end links and shot spring seats.

 

Yeah I totally agree. Least I know now.

 

glad you got it resolved. cheers.

 

Changed my control arm last night and that wheel is movement free now. Need to get it aligned. Doesn't pull but wheel is cocked just a little off center. Night and day between old and new balljoint on control arm.

 

[/quote] It is starting to seem more and more like a wheel bearing but if I change it and still have the noise I will be ticked. Been there, done that before.
Thanks,
Rob[/quote]

Let's see now... um.... you are attempting a repair on your own merit for 1) personal edification
2) substantial financial savings
3) bragging rights!

Don't be ticked! Be happy!

 

Life is good !!