2011 XC90 has a lot of "road noise". For awhile it would come and go, and oscillate too, but now its constant. It has never changed when turning etc, like a wheel bearing might. This car has an awful lot more noise than a Ford F150 pickup.

I put the car up on blocks and ran the driveline at idle, 4 tires spinning, listening around with a stethoscope and I think the big bearing block on the passenger side of the right front driveline may be the culprit. That's about where the sound is coming from, from inside the car, in front of the passenger's knees.

Pic is looking up from below. Left is driver side, right is passenger. The gear case on the left may be called "angle gear" and the black unit in the center is part of the passenger front driveshaft.



Dang things been making noise for a long time but we're out of warranty now 66k miles. Does anybody have any tips regarding this driveline noise? Or does anybody know the name of this this driveline bearing block (so I can google it)? It's the rusted steel unit with the white arrows.

 

The rusted part isn't going to be your problem, that just holds the axle in place. The bearing is the axle bearing. That could be your problem. It is pressed onto the axle.

 

Dang I was hoping to wire-brush the rust off & call it good.

Where can I find a parts breakdown of the drive line on the internet? I need the name or partnumber of this bearing carrier to start my research.

 

Volvopartswebstore.com

Or just call a dealer and they can look it up

 

OK thanks. I found an axle bearing http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/products/Volvo/2011/XC90/Drive-shaft-bearing/1197578/9181693.html

Difficult to use that site with my phone, (I suppose its optimized for mobile ). But I'm on the path , will dig further when I get to a computer.