[mushie1uk]

So I've had this loud rattling noise from under my car for a couple months now.. Sometimes its super loud and embarressing I've found that if i jerk the steering the noise will stop, for a little bit.. Anyways i've had the car at three shops, none of which could figure out whats causing this noise. We have a friend who is a mechanic but always super busy with his own job and family.. but last night he generously took time out and investigated our car! At first we were leading to 'strut bearings' (im not so good with the car talk, just telling what i can remember, lol) But then after an hour he's under the car and hitting something and my husband and I looked at each other and shouted 'thats the noise"! He was hitting on 'ball bearings' in/or near the drive train.. anyways i guess theres two sets of these ball bearings (front & back) and the front is heavily worn out and he reckons the back ones look like they're about to go too He explained most of this stuff to my husband which is useless cause he's not the one going to look for parts or take it to the shop and explain what needs done.. So im wondering if someone here can tell me if what i said makes sense, or better explain to me (simply) what i might say to the volvo guy, also tell me exactly what parts i need to buy.. i heard our friend say something about if able to get a 'dry shaft' would be easier just replacing the whole one part.. Thanks guys!

 

[mushie1uk]

Well unfortunately we had to take a 2hour drive to the city without getting that 'drive shaft' fixed.. and it killed our car Had it towed to the shop and some part of the drive shaft went into the engine, all sorts of stuff was leaking and the axles are all bent.. Haven't heard from the mechanic yet, but we know by the amount of damage its not going to be worth fixing. So sad. And ofcourse we dont just have extra money hanging around to either fix or buy another car.. But I will say, when the time comes, im going back to the 1998 V70 as I've had two of them and never a bother unlike this 1999 which has just been problem after problem.

 

[mushie1uk]

Just a quick update! There is no cheap little run around cars on craigslist or anywhere :0 Shocking huh.. Cant see anything for under $3000... So now we're back to square one and thinking of having the Volvo fixed! Which makes me really happy Just really concerned thou, if we replace drive shaft, axles and transfer case (aka beveled gear) what if it still doesn't come back to life? We have no idea if the transmission has been damage.. But i do need someone to tell me this, our Volvo mechanic suggested that if we dont replace the drive shaft then it pretty much reduce the car to a 2 wheel drive.. is this ok? I would love to do that, as i have utterly no need for AWD, plus it just kills me on gas and hate when i need new tires... My husband who is not car savvy, is going to try remove the drive shaft himself, see if the car turns on to find out if the transfer case is damage (and we highly suspect it is).. but once he removes everything, then we'll take it with new parts to mechanic and pray that everything turns out good! But please folks, any information would be appreciated!