Are my axles talking to me?

[Eric VerValin]

Tonight on the way back here to the hospital, I was hearing what sounds like what your brakes will sound like when they just start to go out. But, it only happens when I accellerate, and dosent do it in neutral. I also didn't notice it in reverse, but I'm in a hospital parking lot here, can't go too fast ya know? My axles are super old, as are the LCA's.. but I have new wheel bearings could be bad brakes, I've been ******* them, and they were just some organics that burn up quick. Just wanna make sure nothing catastrophic is going to happen to my tranny. What should I check?

 

[bryantaylor]

does it match with engine speed or car speed?

 

[Eric VerValin]

Sounds like car speed, which makes me think a wheel bearing, but its new, Well actually I had problems with that one before when I replaced it. Its the second one I've had in there. I was pulling on things just a minuite ago, and if I pull really hard, the half shaft will move toward the wheel about 1/8" give or take a lil. Didn't know if that was normal, or if thats a sign of wear. I was planning on doing new / reman axles when I do the front end in a few weeks.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Don't rule-out the caliper bracket(s). When one of the two slider pins freeze, the caliper bracket will torque-turn resulting in one end/side of the bracket momentarily contacting the rotor surface. The sound initially is the same 'squeak-squeak-squeak" the pads do when you initially hit the wear indicators.

Also don't rule-out a section of metal wire/strap getting wrapped around the back-side of the hub, since you're in and out of unimproved build-sites.

 

[Eric VerValin]

It definately could be the caliper brackets. The fn-94's i got seemd ok but they were old. I do have a new set tho just waiting on them to go out. When I get home I'll jack her up and inspect it further. The vibration just worrys me, because I can feel it so well in the shifter, and the floor. Glad I got the ALSFB's to know there's a problem.. but makes me cringe to hear it. If i'm very very light on the gas, I don't hear it. So I'll just limp it home and check it out.

Only thing that sucks with this 96 upgrade is that you can't see how much pad you have left.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Well I drove it again, and its definately speed related, not engine speed, so I'm thinking axles, hubs or brakes. Now I never installed those stupid little clips, because I just threw on some 1/2 used pads initially with the used rotors, and will swap them out for new here shortly. But without those clips would that cause the grinding issue? And, the play in the axle, should I have that movement? Nothing comes loose out of the tranny or hub, but there is just the play there between the 2 cv joints. I'll know more when I get it home. Getting ready to take the baby home here in about an hour.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Ok, well I thought it might be my brakes .. so I put some new pads and rotors on, all new hardware, and still the noise. So Axle's or wheelbearing? I'm gunna be ****** if its the wheel bearing. That would mean 3 in less than 5k miles. I guess I'll just go and throw some money at axles.. ?

Edit: Or maybe a PP bolt backed out? Guess I'll remove the starter and have a look tommorow..