Today’s featured service is Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement on a 2006 Volvo XC70, brought to us by a client from UBC, Vancouver.
Our featured Volvo XC70 came to us with some extremely noisy wheel bearings. So noisy were these bearings that it was almost impossible to hear inside the vehicle. Along with the noise came a horrible vibration that made the car very unpleasant to drive. No turning up of the radio volume would drowned out the cacophony.
During inspection and diagnosis we determined that both rear wheel bearings were worn out and required replacement. This vehicle uses a unitized bearing and hub assembly. The parts are replaced as a complete unit.
There are several varieties of wheel bearings found on cars and trucks. Some use separate inner and outer tapered roller bearings which are serviced separately. These can usually be dismantled, cleaned, and the bearings repacked with fresh grease. Vehicles with this type of bearing usually require service on occasion. This type of design was very common on vehicles when rear wheel drive ruled the road. Another common design features a bearing assembly where the bearing is pressed into a housing and the hub pressed into the bearing. These require special tools to replace the bearing. The bearing is not serviceable and must be replaced when it wears out. These are found on many cars.
Our Volvo features the unitized style of bearing. This design includes the bearing and the hub all assembled in a housing which bolts to the steering knuckle; many of these even incorporate the ABS brake sensor. These are also found on many modern cars and light trucks.
After replacing both rear wheel bearing assemblies our Volvo XC70 was a pleasure to drive. Nice and quiet, and vibration free.
The Volvo XC70 is an excellent wagon: very luxurious, safe and easily capable of driving through adverse winter road and weather conditions.
For more about the Volvo XC70 please click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_XC70
For more about how bearings work click here http://goo.gl/QBrlNE
