noise from rear,

[micmak]

Hi Guys, It’s been a while since I posted anything or asked anything.  Let's change that now!   I have had my freshly rebuilt MK1 Vitesse for 18 months. I have only done about 1000 or 1200 miles.  One of the several issues since day one, was a noise from the rear.  It was there on the very first day when I bought the car and drove it home. It seems to be coming from the passenger/left side rear. It’s a “rub, rub, rub” kind of sound combined with a slight knocking kind of sound. It’s there when the wheel revolves, and the faster I go the faster the noise gets. It’s a rub, rub, rub, with each revolution of the wheel. When I go straight or turn to the left it is easily heard.  If I turn to the right, putting weight on the left side, the noise goes away, but as soon as I come out of the turn and go straignt again, the sound returns. Thanks to a friend, I had the diff replaced. The noise/sound remained. Today, again thanks to a friend, I had the wheel bearings replaced. On my way home, I realised that the rub rub rub noise is still there, but now there is also a humming/droning sound from the rear. From my limited experience in the past, when a wheel bearing is going, it makes this humming/droning sound. The faster you go the higher pitched the sound becomes, and the slower you go, the heavier, lower tone, the drone becomes. I now have that sound with my new Rimmers bearings. But the rub rub rub sound is still there. What an earth could it be? A new diff, new wheel bearings, and this rub rub rub sound still exists, in addition to a new sound. What can I do next?

Thanks.

.....Mick.....

Edited August 24 by micmak

[johny]

Obviously Id have a good look round all the drive shaft area but presumably anything untoward would have been seen during the diff change?

Then next time youve been for a drive feel the temperature of each drum and if possible the bearing housings as well to see if theres any difference between sides. You could have an distorted drum which is rubbing once a revolution. It would get hotter however I cant see the noise would change with steering direction...

Finally dont discount the wheel bearings just because theyre new - unfortunately new components can be faulty or even the installation. For example good to check the torque setting of the driveshaft end nuts before delving any deeper👍

[micmak]

I wondered about a distorted drum a while ago Johny.  At that time, I popped off the wheel and I was able to spin the drum with no unusual sound.  Today when doing the bearings, I make a point of looking and the brake shoes show no sign of the drum rubbing.  Besides, this sound happens whether I press of the brakes or not.  If it were the drum, wouldn’t applying the brakes change the sound?  

[johny]

Yes I suppose you would expect it to get louder on braking. And now Ive read you post closer I see youve had another diff and new bearings! One thing though I take it the half shaft bearing surfaces were closely inspected during the work as the inner needle roller bearings run on them directly? Theres another recent thread on here with a similar problem that might be worth a read (last page anyway)...

 

 

[Pete Lewis]

just to add its worth checking the wheel nave for any weld cracks

or wheel nut seating  

 

pete