My 98 S70 has developed a roar in the left front wheel that sounds very similar to a wheel bearing. The independent shop that services my car evaluated it and thinks it is the transaxle, which would mean a very expensive transmission removal, etc. We are all puzzled as to why the transaxle would develop this problem, other than defective bearings. I've had the car since new, the transmission flushed and fluid chanegd regularly. The right wheel bearing became noisy about 1,000 miles ago, and they replaced that. The noise from that wheel went away, then this noise in left wheel cropped up last week. The shop took the left hub apart and inspected the bearing and it turns freely. They're pretty certain it's not the left wheel bearing, but the noise is definitely on the left side. My car has just under 140,000 miles on it.

Has anyone else run into this problem, and found a source other than the bearing?

The shop recommends I take it to an independent transmission shop they trust. They are recommending a transmission overhaul if I have the transaxle replaced, sincethe additional cost is small for the overhaul once it's out, and they can't guarantee anything unless they do that.

One last thought, my mechanic says I might as well wait and see how load the roar gets, and who knows...it may die off?

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks.