Weirdest sound...any idea?

**AlanS** · 02-05-2016, 03:20 PM

So, it was snowy last eve here in NY. Started driving this a.m., thought I heard a squeal, thought it was from the radio. Lowered the volume...Geez, it's from my car. Sounded like a slipping belt, but at such a high volume. When I opened the window, it was unbearable...a blend of screeching and scraping...louder than a stuck horn button. Sounded like it was from the rear. Rev engine, no change...applied brake, no change. It would stop only when I came to a complete stop. Rev engine at stop, in neutral...nothing. It would start again soon after I was rolling...then fade minutes later...to start again. No pattern. People were drawn to the racket. Called Volvo and made an appt for Monday (It's Friday now). On the ride home...nothing.
Any ideas? Anything I could even explore?

**Astro14** · 02-05-2016, 04:33 PM

Rain squeal.

Exhaust system flexing from uneven cooling caused by rain/snow/moisture impinging on it from below. It flexes upward, hits the rotating driveshaft, makes a heck of a noise.

The fix is a new exhaust hanger. Or a "modification" to the existing hanger requiring big pliers and even bigger hands to bend the hanger...

**8pack** · 02-05-2016, 05:27 PM

There was a recall or bulletin out on this issue. As described, exhaust hangar needs to be replaced. It tends to mostly happen in the snow or very wet weather.