I've got a rumbling noise in my '94 850 5 speed I cannot find, and need some guidance... The noise is akin to a bad wheel bearing in pitch, volume and general sound, yet the bearings only have about 20,000 on them, and the noise does not change turning the car left to right like a wheel bearing would.

It's present at all speeds, all gears, and is worst with light loading or float, heavier acceleration or deceleration makes the noise subside substantialy, or even completely disappear.

The CVs do not pop, click or chatter, yet there is some radial and torsional play in the axles. Is this normal, and could it cause the noise, especially since the 'classic' joint faiure noises are not present?

I changed the trans lube at 100,000 miles with Redline (160,000 now), so I'd hope it wasn't a bearing failure in the transmission.

Is there anyway to better identify the source without tearing down the car?

Thanks!