LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

[Jim K.]

Just got a bad noise from the left rear wheel. When I just start moving it is real bad but the faster I go the better it sounds. At normal driving speeds it sounds OK.

What could this be? Bearing, U-joint rear end?

I am taking it apart now. I have the rotor off. Parking brake looks OK, U-joints look OK.

What should I do next?

Can the bearing be removed?

Thanks, Jim

[William C.]

Re: LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

Typically you are describing a bad axle shaft bearing, the drive axle must be removed and then the drive flange on the stub axle, at which time the stub axle can be pressed or driven out of the housing to allow bearing and seal replacement. There are many posts on this in the archives, and if you don't have the correct tools, you are much better off removing the whole assembly and having a shop who does this work regularly do the repair. Mots of expensive parts can be broken using an incorrect approach.

[Jim K.]

Re: LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

Thanks for the reply. By removing the whole assemble do you mean the trailing arm or is there a "bearing" assemble? thanks, jim

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

What year is this car? *NM*

[William C.]

Re: LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

Assuming you are not talking about a C-4 (much easier issue) The bearing assembly is part of the housing that the lower strut arms attach to, so commonly the removal of the trailing arm is generally the easiest way to go. There are tools that screw on over the threaded section to allow the spindle to be driven out, but the only time I saw one used successfully was with the trailing arm out of the car.

[Jim K.]

Re: LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

Sory, It is a 1971.

[Jim T.]

Re: LEFT REAR WHEEL NOISE

Like someone has mentioned, if you don't have the correct tools and only want to do this once take a look at www.bairs.com and check out the services for your 71 454 trailing arm assembly. I believe it is a very reasonable cost for the service they will give you and even provide the shipping boxes. With this done to both, you will ready for some nice driving enjoyment. I have had the Kent-Moore spindle removal tools and a dial indicator to do my 68 and 70 for about 20 years and do my own, but when I learned about Bair's riveting the brake disc to the spindle and truing the assembly, I sent my 70's rear spindles and disc to Bairs to have this done. Cured my rotor runout and pumping of air in the rear calipers. It still makes me smile when I apply the power brakes on my 70.