Grinding noise from the rear - 99 SS

[JeffM]

Not sure what's going on here.. I have a grinding noise - similar to that of the calipers dragging on the rotors.. But the pads/rotors are fine.. It seems to only happen when coasting, not when giving it throttle..

The rear end leaks - seems to leak near where the driveshaft goes into the diff - doesn't leak crazy amounts - maybe a half dollar sized spot on my garage floor every week or so.

Could it be a seal back there that's grinding? Almost sounds like metal on metal.

Where should I start looking? I had the rear end jacked up yesterday and spun the wheels trying to re-create it - but I don't really hear it when doing that.

Any help would be appreciated because it's annoying!

Thanks guys.

[97LT1Z28]

Check this thread - hopefully this is your problem so you can fix it fast.

http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19903

[JeffM]

Thanks, but I don't think it's that.. It does it when going straight/turning/whatever - as long as I'm coasting or decelerating in N or in gear.. It does sound like the caliper scraping - but they're both fine and I have plenty of brake pad left..

[97LT1Z28]

Jack up the rear and pull outward on the wheel. If the rotor on the outside touches the caliper housing, that's it.

[JeffM]

Ok, I'll give that a shot..

What about the oil leaking from the front of the diff?

[ConElite]

It could be that the bearing are shoot in the rear end. When I go my car those suckers were done for. Got the installation kit from Summit and that was it. Thats how mine was. You can mainly hear it when your cruising/when the drivetrain is not under load.

[Z Ya Later]

The leak sounds like the pinion seal, which is easy for a shop to replace (had mine done for $30 when I had the clutch done).

As for the sound, its quite possible the bearings are shot. How many miles are on the car? I'm guessing you hear the sound only after above maybe 25 or so, right? Gets very loud when decelerating from a higher speed, esp. freeway speeds, right? If so, its probably the bearings. Here's my thread when the bearings went on my Z...

http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13051

Hope this helps.

[ConElite]

The leak sounds like the pinion seal, which is easy for a shop to replace (had mine done for $30 when I had the clutch done).

Who did that for $30? You have to take apart the entire rear end to change it. You have to remove the Ring and Pinion to replace that seal. WTH

[JeffM]

Yes - that bearing sound you guys are talking about sounds like the same thing mine's doing.. Only making the noise when cruising or decellerating - not under load...

The car has 72k miles, and yes, I start to hear it when I'm over like 25'ish mph..

ConElite - can you link me? I just searched summit but can't find what you're talking about. The only bearings I see are the TO bearing.

Thanks guys

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Who did that for $30? You have to take apart the entire rear end to change it. You have to remove the Ring and Pinion to replace that seal. WTH

No you don't. All you have to do is take off the yoke, pop the seal out, put in a new seal and put the yoke back on.

[JeffM]

No you don't. All you have to do is take off the yoke, pop the seal out, put in a new seal and put the yoke back on.

Really?? I've been putting off doing that seal because I thought I had to take the whole frickin rear apart.. Nice. I guess I'll order one and do it.

Now about that bearing.. haha

[Z Ya Later]

No you don't. All you have to do is take off the yoke, pop the seal out, put in a new seal and put the yoke back on.

Thanks Jeff

Really?? I've been putting off doing that seal because I thought I had to take the whole frickin rear apart.. Nice. I guess I'll order one and do it.

Now about that bearing.. haha

Ask and ye shall receive...

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[JeffM]

Awesome.. Now I just gotta search my manuals to see if I can find the procedure for those bearings..

Thanks for all the help guys - MUCHO appreciated.

[Z Ya Later]

You bet dude. Good luck

[ConElite]

Yeah I was wrong. Its just the Yoke and the seal. Sorry. If your going to do the bearing then you want this kit. Replaces everything. Its the one I installed. The install is easy, The hard part is getting the BackLash correct. Your going to need a guage. Something like this. I have a bunch of pictures if you need them. Your also going to have to buy the crush washer and a Torque wrench that measures pounds per Sq. Inch. Then a Pinion Depth guage. Jegs has it for like $100. Use it and then return it, thats what I did.

Install Kit