64 rear end trouble

[Kyle Zevena]

Gents, 2 part question....

On the way to work this morning I heard a "growling" like sound coming from the rear or left rear when making a left hand turn (64 coupe). I made several on the drive but only heard it a couple of times, heard a quieter version when starting from a stop...any jack stand tests a fella can do to determine the health of the rear end?....(short of dropping the pumpkin....)

Second question is, if I do end up having to drop the rear end, Any tricks to the crossmemeber removal if required? In the AIM I believe it jsut states remove mounting bolts or something to that effect. I have heard that removing the diff can be a bit of a bear...

Thanks as always.

[William C.]

Re: 64 rear end trouble

Are you sure it isn't a rear wheel bearing?

[Kyle Zevena]

Re: 64 rear end trouble

Thanks for the response Bill,

No, I haven't pulled the wheel yet. I will wehn I get home tonite. What should I be looking or feeling for, or will it be that obvious?....

[William C.]

Re: 64 rear end trouble

Looseness in the bearing, if you have a floor jsck, lift each side of the rear of the car using the rear control arm as the lifting point to keep from binding the axles, then chec for looseness in the bearings, should be almost none at all, if you haven't lubed then regularly, I'd suggest they are more prone to "sudden" noise generation than the rear end is.