rear end noise...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
rear end noise...
Towards the end of the summer I noticed that I was starting to hear a hum from the rear end that seemed to get louder at highway speeds. Any chance I've got a bearing going, or just tire noise? Any other thoughts. Almost time for the car to come out of storage and this is the first project I'm going to jump on. Car has over 80,000 miles. I'm not sure what was done for maintenance on the rear end. Should I dig further into it than just wheel bearings? What else should I look for? I have a GM service manual, so I feel confident doing the work myself. Just wondering if there is a checklist of items I should look out for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
Drop the half axle on the rear pass. side, and with the car up on jacks, put it in neutral and remove tire, and then spin the wheel. You will be able to hear if its the bearing. Also put your hands at 3 & 9 oclock and push back and forth to see how much play is there. Rotate tire 180 degrees and repeat. You can do this first, before you drop the 1/2 axle. If it feels tight, and no noise with the tire on, its probably okay. I just went thru the wheel bearing/noise thing, only mine was a loud groan/moaining noise.
Good luck, and I'm sure some other more experienced guys can chime in....
Good luck, and I'm sure some other more experienced guys can chime in....
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Sounds like it could be the rear end. You can check the wheel bearing by jacking the car up in the rear. Than push at 3 & 9 back and forth. If you have play than they need to be rebuilt.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 147
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"Van Steel" is right.............OK..........here's what U do to check rear end noise..............The next time your driving. listen carefully to the noise. Cruise at a steady speed, say 40-50MPH, then slowly accelerate & listen for any change in the noise. Then let your foot off the gas & coast & again listen for any changes in the noise. If the noise seems to get louder as you accelerate, then most likely the problem is a worn ring gear & there is too much gear clearence. If the noise seems to get louder or more pronounced as your coasting, then most likely your problem is a worn pinion gear (or too much clearence in the gears). Also, just because the rear's making noise, doesn't mean that it's bound to "blow up". It's just that noise can be heard real easy in a Corvette fiberglass body. But, as everyone is saying U can check for wheel bearing failure in the ways mentioned. And, don't forget to rule out bad tires as well. Keep that in mind. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Could just be the rear end lube is worn out. Probably not if it is a hum, but if you don't know the last time the rear end lube was changed, then it would be a cheap test to drain the rearend and refill it with fresh lube and two bottles of GM posi additive. Then go to a parking lot and do a bunch of figure 8's or at least some tight circles in both directions to work the lube into the posi clutches.
This might just help. Made a world of difference in my 75. FWIW.
Good Luck!
This might just help. Made a world of difference in my 75. FWIW.
Good Luck!
