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The short version
- Every 240 wheel bearing up front is serviceable: SET17 inner and SET16 outer tapered sets, greased and adjusted by hand.
- The rear live axle carries pressed bearings behind the 1955 inner and 9912S outer seals.
- One front design served the brick for its whole two-decade run.
- This is the car the repack ritual was made for.
Volvo built the 240 to be maintained forever, and its bearings agree. The fronts come apart with hand tools, get inspected and greased, and go back together for another hundred thousand miles.
The serviceable fronts
A front 240 wheel bearing order is the SET17 inner and SET16 outer tapered sets, catalog verified through the final 1993 cars and unchanged in design across the run.
The related 260 shares them, as the catalogs list both series together.
240 wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 to 1993 | Front inner set, all cars | SET17 check price |
| 1975 to 1993 | Front outer set, all cars | SET16 check price |
| 1975 to 1993 | Rear axle seals, inner and outer | 1955 and 9912S |
| 1975 to 1993 | Rear axle bearing, pressed | match old part |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
The repack ritual
Clean the races, inspect for scoring, pack fresh grease, set the preload, fit a new seal: the classic routine on the repacking page.
Preload setting is its own skill, covered on the adjustment page.
The live axle rear
The rear bearings press onto the axle shafts behind their seals, an old-Volvo job that rewards a shop press, per the axle bearing page. Most 240s never need it before rust claims the body.
The make overview, and where the front-drive Volvos diverge, is on the Volvo page.
Why these cars still roll
A greased and adjusted 240 front bearing is close to a lifetime part, which is a fair share of the brick’s immortality legend. Neglected grease, not miles, is what kills them.
Diagnosing a 240 wheel bearing
- Check play first; these adjust before they fail.
- Inspect the grease at every brake job.
- Weave at speed and place any hum.
- A rear howl means axle work, not the fronts.
- Repack on schedule and these outlive the car.
The routine is on the checking page.
Common questions
Which 240 wheel bearing sets do I need?
SET17 inner and SET16 outer up front, every year.
Can I service them myself?
Yes, that is the design. Hand tools, grease and patience.
Do 260 parts match?
The catalogs list the series together. Same sets.
Do I need a press?
Only for the rear axle bearings. The fronts come apart by hand.
How often should I repack?
Every couple of years or 30,000 miles keeps them effectively immortal.