I am a first time Volvo owner and have a '06. I LOVE my car. However, this week, I began to hear a weird noise. Sounds like metal on metal scraping. Sometimes it does it, sometimes it does not. Doesn't matter if I am pressing the brakes or just driving on I40.

So what do you think the deal is? Belt? Breaks?

Also, have any of used the Nitrogen in your tires? What do you think?

Thanks for the help!!

 

First thing that popped in my mind was brakes. Of course, the sound would get worse when you apply them. Have you checked all 4 sets of pads just in case?

 

Is the sound present when parked and idling, or only when the car is in motion? (is it an engine problem or a driveline problem)

I have used nitrogen before when a friend brought a tank home. Pressures were stable, but I didn't notice any performance difference. Would I use nitrogen again? Sure, I didn't see any problems running it.. Would I pay to use nitrogen? Nope.

I've also used CO2 but found that pressures needed to be checked (and topped off) frequently.

 

I have used nitrogen in my tires before. As stated before,it does not give any noticeable improvement in performance, and most likely does nothing. The one advantage, however, is that nitrogen molecules are larger than air molecules so nitrogen doesn't escape from the tire as quickly. So you don't have to put air in your tires as often. More of a hassle than it's worth, if you ask me.

 

Last week when I had new tires put on, I gave the Nitrogen air a try.I paid $10 per tire. Bad price? Honestly, I do think the car rides smooth but not that big of an improvement.

Anyway, the sound occurs only when the car is moving. I had the tire place check out the brakes/pads/etc.. and he said all looked good. This sound occured before the new tires and after.

The sound comes and goes. I have not heard it in 2 days now. But when it is bad, It is really bad. I read somewhere else that it might be the dust plate is too close. On the right side, the dust plate does seem a little loose.

But why would it come and go?

 

This happened to my 07 S40.
It's a shield that needs to be replaced. I think it's a dust shield like you said. Take it to the dealer. Leave it there so they can replicate the noise with the windows down (to pin point which wheel). They should have documentation of the defect and replace it under warranty.