sha4000

iTrader: (1)

While driving yesterday I kept hear this constant noise coming from the wheels while driving at slow speeds. Once the speed was a little faster it was harder to hear. I knew I would have to pull all 4 wheels or else the noise would drive me crazy plus I have this fear of tire issues from when a tire shop either tightened the lugs too much or not enough and the studs broke going 70 mph on the turnpike. That was scary, I watched the tired bounce across 6 lanes of traffic and end up on the other side of the road in the opposite direction. Anyway since the I recently purchased a Makita cordless impact it makes taking off the wheels 1000x easier. This what what I found. It seems the boot is leaking and I'm trying to figure out how easy/hard this is to remedy. I have not confirmed this is what's causing the noise bit I'm pretty sure it is. It seems my tie rods need to be changed too. when I jacked up the front wheel on the drivers side I was able to turn the wheel from side to side at the 3 & 9 position. That can't be normal!
Update: So it seems to be the rear axle boot that's leaking. I'm still up for your thoughts on it.

dicer

Those CV boots usually tear a bit allowing the grease to get flung out. The CV's (Constant Velocity Joints) can wear and cause noise and vibrations. If the differential was leaking it would be behind the flange or rather further inboard towards the case and that would be caused by either just a bad seal or loss of a bearing or preload.
A person can take those CV's apart and check them and put new boots on, also there are kits so you don't have to take off the shaft they are not too good if they even exit now.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

CV axles are a wear item, just as on FWD cars they will need to be rebuilt/replaced occasionally. Luckily the range of motion in a RWD axle is usually less than a CV in a FWD car, so we get longer lifespans.

if you can find a local shop to rebuild the axles that would be my preferred method. It's better to have it rebuilt than simply re-booting the joint because you don't know what kind of road muck has gotten into and contaminated the CV axle grease. It's very common for re-booted CV joints to fail a relatively short while after application because of this.

I would either rebuild the factory axles (pairs are good!) or buy a rebuilt unit.


I had both my axles rebuilt at around 160-170k miles when I had my LSD installed.

AandSC

I had a similar issue. I would recommend getting one from ebay or a junkyard car. These last a long time. I tried to have mine rebooted and it failed right away. Rebuilts are very hard to find for our cars.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I'm trying to figure out the best course of action. I can hear it making a whistling sort of noise like it's ready to fail. At least that's what my mind is telling me. I don't really have the time right now to try to replace it in my own though I kind of want to try and I can't have the car out of commission if I run into problems getting it off and back on.

Stereorob

you lost a wheel at 70mph?! good god man! I lost one at 30 and that was horrifying

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I was lucky that day. I didn't panic when the car truck dropped down onto the rotor i was in the left lane so I just kept the wheel straight, let up off the gas and as it slowed I guided it onto the shoulder out of traffic. Scary to say the least.

dicer

I had a front tire blow out at 70, I had no problem controlling it. I was glad it wasn't a rear, and that was on an old 62 rambler with no power steering.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Checked the bit more carefully today and there are no obvious tears but the grease is escaping from somewhere. It's a very small amount but leaking nonetheless. I hear no noise when turning the rotor and listening. But there is noise from the pads slightly touching the rotor. I've been looking online for a replacement in case I go that route but can't decide on a brand. Even checked the online dealers and it was like $600+ which is def a no go.

dicer

Even if the cv is starting to get bad it will last a long time before it goes out.