740 / 760

1982-1992 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

All 740 / 760 problems All workshop issues

Common Transmission and Drivetrain

Propshaft Centre Bearing (Carrier Bearing) Failure

Symptoms

Vibration at speed (especially 50-70 mph), clunking under acceleration, sometimes a droning noise.

Cause

The rubber mount for the centre bearing hardens and splits. The bearing itself can also fail.

Fix

Replace the centre bearing and mount.

It's under the car, two bolts.

Takes an hour.

Use OEM Volvo or FAG bearings, cheap ones fail quickly.

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// More 740 / 760 problems

Other known issues

Critical Transmission and Drivetrain

AW71/AW72 Automatic Transmission Slipping or Delayed Engagement

Flare on the 1-2 or 2-3 shift (engine revs but no acceleration), delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, harsh shifts.

Minor Transmission and Drivetrain

Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Wear

Sloppy, vague shifts, hard to find gears, grinding when cold.

Critical Engine

Oil Leaks from Cam Seals and Valve Cover Gasket

Oil puddles under the front of the engine, sometimes dripping onto the exhaust manifold and smoking. The valve cover gasket weeps oil down the side of the block.

Critical Engine

Timing Belt Failure

The engine dies instantly, often with a loud slap or clatter. Won't restart. If you're lucky, it just stops; if you're unlucky, bent valves and a destroyed head.

Common Engine

Flame Trap Clogging (PCV System)

Rough idle, oil leaks from every seal, oil in the intake tract, sometimes a whistling noise from the crankcase breather.

Critical Engine

Oil Consumption (Turbo Models)

Blue smoke on startup or under boost. Oil level drops a quart every 500-1000 miles.

View all 27 740 / 760 problems