I initially posted here about rear bearings/seals http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?264554-Cost-of-rear-bearings-and-seals There are pix of the new seals and bearings there. Jim, I used the part numbers you mention for seals and bearings Both axles are solid, no play in or out But I still have the same noise. I switched drums side to side, and tires front to back, noise is still in the same passenger rear wheel. Here's a video. Ignore the 'tick' as thats coming from the trans, probably the speedo cable? The 'rumble' is what im worried about. When driving I hear a noise kinda like a scrape/rub thats in rythem with the rotation of the wheels. But it comes and goes, I dont hear it all the time. The passenger wheel does not make this rumble noise. Car is a 71+ rear end, posi, 3.42, in neutral, both wheels off the ground in this video <iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FwUZTQZGkpc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hmmmmmmm, well, if the rear is off the ground, and the trans. is in park, the ring and pinion is not moving, so that leaves the side/spider gears in the carrier. Thats definatley NOT a bearing noise!
Sounds to me like something in the brake hardware hitting the back of the axle flange or maybe a head of one of the lug studs. Remove the drum and inspect behind the flange of the axle for clearance to brake components.
Pull both wheels and drums off and spin the axle, if the noise is still there check the back of the lug studs. If there is no contact with anything to the axles then i say you have a gear problem. Could be just the noise is being transmitted to just one side.
I like the wheels and drums off idea. There seems to be a multiplication of sounds (does that make sense?) that suggests there are gears involved. The noise transmitting from the other side could be possible too. You may want to back one axle out far enough that it's not connected to the carrier then spin the other side to see if you get the same sound.
cstanley-gs, Have you removed the rear cover to have a look inside Also, I just thought of this, you said it was posi/limited slip, was the other wheel turning the same direction as the pass. wheel when you were spinning it? Does the noise happen only when turning right or left, or making slight right or left direction changes?
I removed the drums Same noise is there There's nothing hitting the axle flanges or the backside of the lug bolts However I noticed the bearings are installed opposite One has to be on backwards right? Which is correct? The drivers side which is quiet is on the left The passenger side which is noisy is on the right ---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 AM ---------- So turns out the the passenger noisy side is on inside out. Just dropped it off at the shop, looks like they cant save the bearing, but will try to save the seal. Hope to have it back today... ray: What a PITA this has been...
Well well well.... I hope Im not typing prematurely... but the noise seems to be resolved!!! Picked up the axle at lunch, new bearing with proper seal (the 5th Ive bought in this process), installed correctly I drove around for about 20 minutes.. and could not replicate the sound... finally... I hope uzzled::TU: I hope this is the last time the car is on stands for a while
Good to hear Curtis. I was going to post earlier and tell you to get a louder exhaust. I think the rear could fall out of my red 72 and I wouldn't hear it.
LOL thanks man! It has flowmasters so it sounds healthy :laugh: Now I should be able to focus on the carb :Brow:
Dang... I think I heard it again.... But could not reproduce it in demand... Have to keep driving and see.
To be honest i found it odd that a bearing installed backwards would make that noise. These are simple flat roller bearings, only way for it make noise is a bad bearing inside or a bad race. Otherwise had it been installed the other way it would have made noise in reverse. The lip you see on the bearing is where the bearing is put together and holds the bearings in, cannot imagine changing the installation direction would make a difference noise wise. I could see where the axle may be machined with a lip by the seal and the thin side of the bearing faced this lip when pressed together to help keep the bearing housing together. Personally i think you have a gear issue. There is a possibility that with weight on the axles the axle is deflecting some stress to the rear diff changing the tolerances. I would pull the rear cover and look inside, check the wear pattern on the teeth of the ring/pinion and check inside the diff itself.
Been driving for a couple days now and I think my mind was playing tricks on me. I've not heard it since. Time will tell.
A-9 bearings for the 8.5 are tapered nut flat and yes someone pressed the R/S bearing on backwards. This would have caused the bearing side to turn and rub against the inner housing unlike the L/S in which the race side in first would not turn against the housing. Your noise should stop. ---------- Post added at 09:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ---------- Sorry that should've said NOT instead of nut flat.... If you notice on the left side axle the part of the bearing closest to the seal is not part of the bearing race and cannot be seen but is slightly smaller in outside diameter.
WOW, WHERE THE HECK WAS I ON THIS ONE. Sorry guys. I think the bearing on backwards may have rubbed into the tube inside causing that lumping trouble definitely on backwards is not a good thing. I personally wish they had the old press on barrel type bower bearings. The taper bearings are relying on the seal alone for proper alignment in the tube and the way production is out there on parts specs this is VERY trouble some for the A( bearing cars. seals specs are all over the place at .465- .490 ish (712146 should be thick at .490) Good luck on the axles hope this is the final time for a good long time. Jim
