Since I feel like smashing the keyboard, I'll make this short.

Sounds like someone crunching sheet metal. Coming from the rear end somewhere, hard to pinpoint, but it's very loud. Sounds like bearings to me, but I could be wrong ... somebody shoot me now!

 

BANG !!!!!!!!!

 

Anyone?

I'm thinking it might be rear wheel bearings, any advice? Big job?

 

Is it speed related, constant noise at any speed, do you hear it slowing down, speeding up?

Jeff

 

It is speed related and I wouldn't go over 5 mph with this.

 

Start by jacking the wheels off the ground and spinning them by hand and listening to them. Could be debris caught in the drums. Start there, and work your way in. Wheel bearings isn't a hard job to do. Need a wheel nut socket (2-9/16"), a hammer and some punches to knock the old races out.

 

I know front bearings are a piece of cake, but the rear bearings are in the axle, are they not? Don't I have to pull each axle to access them?

 

Rear bearings are not a big deal. Yes you have to pull the axle and remove hub/rotor/drum. After that it basically the same as the front, give or take.

What's your mileage Piperca? I would lean towards a u-joint before I would think bearings. A dry u-joint on the way out can squeak and sound a little like rubbing sheetmetal. Takes a couple of minutes to pop the rear joint out of the yoke and see what's there or left of it.

Jeff

 

I had my right rear replaced a few months ago. I watched them do it, and it didn't look to hard to do if you have the tools, etc. Mine was not as bad as yours, but scored bad enough to make it whine at highway speed. The mech said it was VERY important to get ALL the fine metal particles out of the assembly before you put it back together.

 

Take a deep breath. Stuff happens. Use your superior wrenching skills and your buddies on DTR and you'll figure it out.

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Geico. I don't know if you've noticed, but I seem to be a regular here over the past couple of months ... it's getting tiresome.

To top it off, the same day this happened, I dropped an engine on my boat and the other's in need of a new fuel pump ... when it rains, it pours!

Deep breath ... exhale, aaaaaahhhhhhhhh ... pull trigger!

 

Call off the dogs! I can decock now!

Jacked it up and rotated the wheels. Sound was coming from the passenger's side. Pulled the wheel/drum and discovered the retaining clip and spring assembly for the shoe had broken ... thank God!

Thanks to all for your input!

 

Update:

Replaced all the springs in the assembly and everything is working fine. The other retaining clip was about to break also. Is this a common problem? I'm going to check the other side this weekend. I'd have done it today, but that would be cutting into my beer time.

Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th!

Cheers,
Andrew

 

Glad you dodged the bullet and had an easy fix.

Enjoy the cool one...........or ones...............

 

I'm thinking plural