weird sound coming from rear of car

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weird sound coming from rear of car

February 25, 2005, 05:33:22 PM

when I'm driving slowly (<30 I'd say), I get this "rub-rub-rub" sound coming from what seems like the right rear of the car. I've pulled the wheels and drums, and the brakes seem fine. one of the pads on the rear right has a crack in it, no material missing though. and there's at least 1/8" left on the pads, a little bit more that that probably. The drums are fine to the naked eye, the left side actually has a slight groove in it. while the car was jacked up I started it and put it in drive. because the rear end and driveshaft were farther down, one of the lers was rubbing on the driveshaft. I thought that was the problem until I lowered the car back down and that went away. this sound just started this week, and it's getting to be pretty loud. it will only happen between maybe 10mph and 30-35, after that it's barely noticeable, if at all. I also noticed that if I go around a slight curve to the right, the noise stops altogether (I think turning left makes no difference, maybe just a little). when I had the right rear wheel off and the left still on, I turned the axle by the studs and the left rear wheel would seem like the brakes were warped or something. kinda like when your bicycle's wheel is a little warped, and only part of the wheel rubs on the brakes? I hadn't tried it on the other side.
so should I get new drums or what? they're $100 for a pair so I'm hoping it's something a little less expensive. I was actually hoping to wait until the junkyard had their next half-off sale so I could get a TC rear for $50, and spend the money on the brakes for that, rather than on brakes for this rear end that I'm going to get rid of asap anyways. any thoughts?

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #1 – February 25, 2005, 05:55:47 PM

I'm guessing maybe axle bearings are getting bad because you say it goes away in a slight curve. Turning the car could take the load/weight off of the wheel and make the sound go away.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #2 – February 25, 2005, 06:28:12 PM

when I spun the axles by the studs with both wheels off, it made a sound, hard to describe. are they supposed to make any kind of sound at all? could the car continue to be driven with the bearings going bad? if so, how much until it's no longer safe to do so?

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #3 – February 25, 2005, 07:09:32 PM

My first guess was the drive shaft weight fell off or maybe even the lead weight on the rim of your rear wheel.

id also guess the rear axle bearings. Ive never ever worked on any rear end or axles so if its your first go around,, leme know how you make out and how easy it is.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #4 – February 25, 2005, 08:19:45 PM

That sounds just like mine sounded when the gears were shot.
They were so bad, in fact, that you could put your hands on them and move them around inside the diff.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #5 – February 25, 2005, 11:17:47 PM

When Blu84302's last rear end went out it kinda sounded like that, but it moaned like a sonofabitch at high speed. When the cover came off there were junks of gears laying in the bottom.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #6 – February 26, 2005, 02:02:22 AM

well it does actually make sound from low speeds on up, it doesn't stop unless I turn or slow down a lot. it actually quiets down when I hit the brakes regardless of speed. I dunno if I'll replace it whatever it is, since I'm going to replace the entire rear end asap

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #7 – February 26, 2005, 03:16:33 PM

well if the rear does go, then it just means more modivation for a new one.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #8 – February 26, 2005, 10:05:27 PM

I vote axle bearing. Seems if you ease the load on it, it quiets down.

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #9 – February 26, 2005, 11:37:26 PM

I took it to my grampa's tire shop this morning, and determined that it is the bearing(s). I'm just going to replace the whole rear end with a TC rear

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #10 – February 27, 2005, 12:06:25 AM

how do you check for bad bearings in the back without disassembly?

is it sort of like how to check a balljoint,,,pry bar under the tire and lift up to feel for play?

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #11 – February 27, 2005, 02:05:58 AM

jack up one of the rear wheels, put the car in drive, and hear the grinding noise coming from the hub?

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #12 – February 27, 2005, 02:08:45 AM

Okay, Check your U - Joints / driveshaft bolts. Also check the axle gasket for leaks. Did you notice any leaks around the wheel seal when you had the drums off? I doubt it is the drums, one time i forgot lug nut day at college, and lost a wheel. It F'd up the drum & studs, took me 20 minutes to find the drum a few blocks away. I jackd up the car and put it back on. Didn't feel nothing wrong, even with a bent drum/studs. If it's anything i'd say it could be the differential going out. but i'd have to hear it. Could also be in the tranny.

And to check for bearings... Jack up the rear in the center. Jiggle the wheel with the tire on the car and it shouldn't go in and out. It should be solid. Also to inspect the differential, just get a 3 dollar gasket, and 2 bottles of 80/90 gear oil for 2.50 a piece. Then remove the cover while is jacked up to check your differential, and make sure the fluid don't have no metal in it from bearings, and make sure it all spins okay off the ground. But don't take the gears outta the back... no matter how easy it may look. It's very precise.

And you don't have to poke a drain hole in the cover... the fill hole on the back of the differential is pretty cool. All you need to remove it is a 3/8's rachet and a long extension. The extension threads into the screw and if you hit it with a hammer a couple of times it makes it real easy to fill it back up, precisely...

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #13 – February 27, 2005, 02:14:06 AM

my grandpa has been working on cars for decades, I'm sure he knows what a shot wheel bearing sounds like. he knew it the second the wheel started turning

since you edited yours :p I'm going to replace the entire rear end, so whatever it may be, it'll go away when I get a replacement

Re: weird sound coming from rear of car

Reply #14 – February 27, 2005, 06:45:44 AM

Quote

my grandpa has been working on cars for decades

Everyone knows that old people (anyone older than me) don't know anything. Their brains have turned to mush. And young people (anyone younger than me) don't know anything either. They haven't been alive long enough to learn stuff. Therefore, only someone who is exactly my age (ergo, only me) knows everything, and everyone else on earth is a moron. Sorry, but it's a scientific fact, so don't blame me.
:flame: