Wheel bearings and the rear end???Help Please!

[key2emptiness]

Okay, lately my car has making this ugly creaking noise whenever I go at a slow rate of speed. Like maybe 10 to 15 miles and hour. Sounds like my car is on rails. I thought first it was a bent rim had since it was coming on just one side, the passenger, and bought a new one. Same problem. Somebody told me it could be the wheel bearings. Does anybody have any info on what they are and how to track it down for sure? How can I check the rotors?? They look straight and stop pretty good. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img]

[black98V6]

sounds like your brake pad wear indicators are making noise.. how many miles on the car?

[key2emptiness]

32,000 miles. I just had the brakes done too. Forgot to mention that. Could it be the brake pads?? Maybe a bad set or something. It started on just the passenger side, now it is slowly coming my drivers side now too.

[camarofan]

This is the rear of the car causing the noise?

4 wheel disc or drums on the rear?

If it is the rear, and the brakes were replaced why were they replaced? Normally rear pads/shoes depending on the case will last atleast 60k+ miles. Unless there is towing of some sort to add unbiased weight. Or if the car is abused.


Forgot to mention, the rearend will have axle bearings and not wheel bearings. Front have hub bearings and neither are serviceable without replacement.

[ October 02, 2003: Message edited by: camarofan ]</p>

[key2emptiness]

I changed the rear because it was like part of package deal. SO I said sure why not. They are 4 wheel disk. I am pretty sure it is the rear because it is unmistakeable. It sounds all creaky. The rear contains axle bearings? That's a new one on me. I'm going to have to check that out. Any idea on the cost? My car looks brand new but it sounds all old. So I want to fix it ASAP. Thanks for all the help and responses. I appreciate it. :cool:

[camarofan]

Yeah, the rears will have axle bearings. Pretty much, the axle is solid from the pumpkin to the studs.

The bearing is pressed into the outer ends of the differential housing then an axle seal. The axle slides in through the bearing and seal. Not sure how much abuse your car has been through, but checking the differantial fluid level would be a start, make sure it is not low.

Is the car still under warranty of any sort? It could be covered under a drivetrain warranty if so and may be the route to take.

Also, did they turn your rotors or just slap pads on? May want to take it back to whoever did the brakes and make sure they didn't bend or leave something loose.

Pretty low miles for parts failure though.

[key2emptiness]

This is dumb question, but how do you check the differential fluid? I have no clue to start with that. They did turn the rotors and everything. The car is not under warranty. I bought the car not knowing it was totalled. The guy told me it was just a minor accident. But for 4000 bucks, I was all sounds kind of fishy, but no major damage was done to it. Just the fact that it was totalled was the only thing. It bought it with 31,000 on it. Everything ran fine and I don't race it much. No hard take offs or anything. I barely drive it since it rains a lot and I bought it during the winter. So it stayed in the garage. I did take it out every now and then to keep the fluids going. Now it just developed this creaking noise. So what and where and can I check the fluid? Thanks again!

[camarofan]

Not sure exactly where it is, but on the front side of the differential, to the upper left or right of the driveshaft, there should be a plug. Usually has a square indent that a 3/8" ratchet will remove. Wipe it clean before removing it, then remove it and stick your finger in, see if you can feel fluid. If not, use something you can use as a dipstick, lower it in a ways, then pinch where it meets the plug hole and pinch with your fingers. hold it up on the outside with the pinch at the drain hole to determine fluid level.

On another note. Where was the car hit to be totalled? Why was it totalled? This could have something to do with it as well. Possibly a bent axle or something.

[key2emptiness]

I'll check that fluid today. It was wrecked in the front. It was not a total loss, just enough to make to make it a total. Thanks!

[ellik]

my rear bearings are shot and make a loud whining noise.... not a creaking. anyway, to replace the rear bearings, the rebuild kit is 130 plus 300 for the labor. hope its not them.

[key2emptiness]

Whoa that's a lot. I hope it is not either lol. It is a creaking noise and it seems like it is also starting to stumble like something is out of line. Rotors possibly warped? I just got new tires on it too like 2 months ago. So they are still balanced.