Rear End Noise, FIXED! DIY! 56k NO!

[TYRODD]

For about the last 4 months or so, Ive been having an odd grinding/rubbing sound that *seems* to be coming from my DS rear wheel. It makes the noise if I am driving straight or turning right(which makes it louder). If I turn left, the sound completely disappears.

Ive flushed and refilled the rear end and put the GM additive in it...no change. Ive concluded that the noise is from my transfer case, rear bearings, rearend, axle, or brakes.

My truck is stock with about 97k, lowered with belltech springs and centering blocks. In the past 4 months Ive also replaced my front wheel bearings. I know that the rears dont usually go bad but... :?

Anyone else have/fixed this problem?

TIA

 

[willyson]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

hopefully this wont be your problem, but i had a grinding noise coming from what sounded like the front and it ended up being the xfer case. however, i was only having a noise at higher speeds. :2cents: id check your drums since theyre pretty easy to check

 

[TYRODD]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

hopefully this wont be your problem, but i had a grinding noise coming from what sounded like the front and it ended up being the xfer case. however, i was only having a noise at higher speeds. :2cents: id check your drums since theyre pretty easy to check

Well, Ive checked that already. Ive wondered if using my E-brake alot has warped my drums maybe, but the sound doesnt change If Im breaking or not, Ive even tried the E-brake while moving..no change.

Dammit, Im thinking its my bearings, the fronts were $$$...cant imagine what these will be :banghead:

 

[motorhead]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

any rust on the brake drums that may be contacting the backing plate? sometimes turning will flex the drum just enough for it to come in contact with the backing plate. pop the drums and inspect real close for signs of contact.If there is rusty chunks in the drums where it overlaps the backing plate then scrape them out,just a thought.

 

[TurboJunk]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

does it happen mostly when you make turns? if so what about using posi addivitive?

 

[TYRODD]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

does it happen mostly when you make turns? if so what about using posi addivitive?

It happens when I'm driving straight, but it gets worse when turning right. Didnt think to use posi additive, just the limited slip GM additive.

 

[big gear head]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

The GM limited slip additive is posi additive and it isn't needed in these rear ends with the Governor Lock differential. Your noise could be an axle bearing. The bearings are cheap, but you have to replace the axle too because the bearing eats into the axle.

 

[TYRODD]

Re: Rear End Noise

Re: Rear End Noise

The GM limited slip additive is posi additive and it isn't needed in these rear ends with the Governor Lock differential. Your noise could be an axle bearing. The bearings are cheap, but you have to replace the axle too because the bearing eats into the axle.

Im thinking this is the case, but I thought it wasnt a common issue with our trucks? The bearings are about $18 from CRAPA, hate to think what an axle would be. Strange also that it is coming from the DS, the front bearing went a few months ago :?

 

[TYRODD]

Re: Rear End Noise, FIXED! DIY! 56k NO!

Well, I swapped out my rear bearings tonight. My Ty still sounds like a noisy AWD POS, but a MUCH quieter AWD POS :lol: .

Here's what you'll need:
(4) jack stands, USE THEM!
(2) Rear axle bearings, I used NAPA# R1563TAV
(2) Rear axle oil seals, I used NAPA# 14002
(2) quarts 75w-90 gear oil, I used Royal Purple
RTV
3/8 drive socket wrench
19mm socket/lug wrench (wheel lugs duh!)
13mm socket/wrench (rear diff cover bolts)
8mm box end wrench (pinion shaft lockscrew)
Slide Hammer (removing old bearings, rent one from AutoZone)
Claw hammer
Flat head screwdriver
telescoping magnet
Brake cleaner
Razor scraper
Common sense
Beer, I used Coors Light :lol:

Get your truck jacked up, all four corners off the ground. USE JACK STANDS!

Break loose you rear tires/wheels. Remove the brake drums as well, clean up those brake surfaces!

Drain rear diff. and remove cover. Get all the old RTV/gasket off the mating surfaces. Use your razor scraper and Brake cleaner.

Rotate your axles until you can access the pinion lockscrew...

This screw was TIGHT! (8mm) Be carefull not to snap the head off as I doubt you would want to try and retrieve the rest of it . Once you have the lockscrew out, slide the pinion shaft out.

Rotate the axle so that you have access to the axle retaining "C" clips. Push both axles in toward the diff, which will allow you to remove the c-clips with a magnet...

Now you should be able to slide the axles out. Be careful not to damage the bearing/sealing surfaces or the splined end.

Clean up the axles with a rag and more brake cleaner.

Remove the axle seals with the claw end of a hammer/crowbar. Be careful not to damage the sealing surfaces.

Next, use the slide hammer to safely pound out the old bearings...

This was my Pass. side, the "good" side on the left vs. New on right. Not as bad as I imagined though...

Clean out the bearing surfaced of the axle tube. Use common sense and carefully pound in the new bearings. I used an old bearing to "guide" in the new one.

Next, install the new axle seals. Drown the bearings and coat the lip of the seal with gear oil.

Re-install the axles, c-clips, pinion shaft, lockscrews, tire/wheels etc...

RTV the diff cover, re-install, let the RTV set up, and refill the diff. You might just be done!:tup:

Not too bad eh?

Take it for a test drive if you're not too drunk! :rotf:

 

[willyson]

Re: Rear End Noise, FIXED! DIY! 56k NO!

congrats on finding your noise! also, very nice writeup. archive it?

 

[97 CAIVIAROSS]

Re: Rear End Noise, FIXED! DIY! 56k NO!

Glad to see you found the problem and got it fixed.. now if I could just get the time to work on my Ty and Camaro!!!
Derek