Where is my axle noise from?

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Mopar92

Mopar92

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Just pulled my 7 1/4 drums and axles out and the bearings seem ok. Driving down the road I hear a pretty good hum. It does not change with acceleration or deceleration. I'm wondering now if it's the spider gears? The other 2 A body cars I have are sure grip. So I don't have a good way of comparing. Does this look / sound normal? Diff lube is up to the mark and smells ok. [ame="http://youtu.be/bNPzGPLpGyY"]http://youtu.be/bNPzGPLpGyY[/ame]
 
Take it to an open parking lot and do some figure 8s. If it is an axle bearing issue, the noise will get louder as that side gets loaded in a turn.

What you've shown in the video appears normal to me. All I hear is brake noise.
 
Don't sound right to me. My Detroit Locker doesn't even sound that bad when ratcheting.

Pull both brake drums and spin it again just to be sure it's not anything with the brakes, but to me it sounds like something is starting to let go.
 
Drop the cover and take a look at the gears, could be one and also check the side play of the carrier.
 
Haha parking Paul. I'm not that strong!! I'm sorry for the drum drag. It's got some feel too. Tooth feel. Can the spiders be replaced without pulling the guys out?
 
Worn spider gears shouldn't make noise riding straight down the road right? Only when turning? Because they aren't turning on each other going straight correct?
 
Sounds like axle bearings. First, you need to determine if the sound is the same as wheel speed or drive shaft speed. Drive shaft speed the frequency of the sound will be much higher, since the drive shaft travels about 3 times as fast as the wheels and axles. Make that determination first (if you already have not). That way, you can at least start on the right end of things.
 
Mopar92 said:
Worn spider gears shouldn't make noise riding straight down the road right? Only when turning? Because they aren't turning on each other going straight correct?
Click to expand...

If both tires are exactly the same diameter and pressure, and you are going dead nuts straight, the spider gears shouldn't be turning.



EDIT.... I have an idea for a test..... with the wheels bolted on, jack 1 rear tire off the ground , the other tire on the ground and chocked. Put the trans in neutral and rotate the tire. If the sound is still the same, switch and do the other side. If you hear it the same on both sides, it's probably the diff. If you only get it from one side then probably a wheel bearing, as Rusty said.
 
Bearings can be such a pain to diagnose, the weight of the vehicle makes bearing noises show up that can't be reproduced on jack stands.
I have the Chassis ears for bearing noises , they can be clipped on whatever area you want to check for a noise with the car on a test drive.
Best tool I have ever found for pin pointing bearing noises.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IHIAES/?tag=joeychgo-20
 
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