Hi.

I've got a 1990 240DL Wagon. Really sweet. Before that I had an '85 (chassis rusted...gone, now).

This problem's new for me: when driving, there's this "flapping" sound from the rear of the car. Sounds almost (but not quite) like there's a flat back there. The sound speeds up when I accelerate. I thought it was a wheel...but once we put it on the lift and spun them, BOTH rear wheels were making this flapping sound. Less pronounced than when driving...but definitely there and different than the front. So, I'm thinking it's not the wheels but something to do with the axle...?

Called a Volvo salvage place I like in Tucson. If it's the axle, the shipping's gonna be pretty high (I live in NYC).

Wondering if anyone here has had a similar situation...?

Thanks for your time.

See below...

I would first make that the rear universal joint is not seized. To this you need to disconnect the driveshaft at the rear axle flange and try to move the universal joint. It should move easily.

I agree. My 240 wagon is making this noise right now and it has a bad u-joint right in front of the rear axle.

Up on the lift, If you hold one tire and spin the other is the flapping only on one side?

Are you sure it's nothing on the Driveshaft? Center Support bearing issue?

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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html

That's a good point..."no", I didn't hold one of the wheels when spinning the other. Should have thought of that...

A common problem is that the rivets holding the parking brake pads to the shoes rust. When this happens the pad separates and makes noise as it floats in the rotor.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the replies, guys. It's getting harder and harder to find great indie Volvo mechanics. I got spoiled by Volvo Joe, up in Barre, VT and this guy, Stef, here in Brooklyn, NY. Both of 'em could take a Volvo apart and put it back together again, blindfolded. Both of 'em are gone, now.

I've just started going to this new mechanic who's good, honest, and reasonably priced. No prob when I get parts from salvage. He's cool, but I'm just not sure he knows my 240 very well. Brought it in last night and got it back this afternoon with no more noise. He said he'd taken off the wheels and adjusted the handbrake. $15.00. Can't complain. Said not to worry if it comes back, as it's an old car that's making more and more "old car noises".

Maybe I'm in denial...but "old car noises" just doesn't sit too well with me. I'm going to save this thread and bring the suggestions to him if the noise comes back. Hopefully it won't come back, though...we'll see.

Thanks, again...