**HELP** Grinding noise from the rear driver-side wheel area

[PoFoMoCo]

I need some help diagnosing a grinding noise that literally popped up an hour ago. I was cruising around the neighborhood and heard a faint grinding sound from the rear (possibly) drivers-side wheel or brake area. I limped it home, about 1/2 mile and by the time I got back the noise was clearly coming from the rear drivers-side wheel or drum brake area. It didn't make the sound in reverse, only in drive. Also, the sound did not fluctuate with brake pressure.

Once I got back, I immediately pulled both rear wheels and checked for a rock or drum/brake shoe rubbing. Nothing, so I cleaned up all the brake dust and re-assembled, torqued everything down good and went for a quick test drive. It still makes the sound so I grabbed a couple .20 sec videos/sound clips.

Thanks in advance for any help....

 

[Sheriff41]

Did you check your rear u-joint?

 

[Steve McMahan]

Have you checked the rear wheel bearing by lifting the axle flange up and down? that happened to me on a 1972 Ford station wagon when the driver side wheel bearing failed and the drum was pushing on the bottom of the shoes and dragging.

 

[mjlan]

Hard to tell for sure, but it sounds like something on the inside of the brake drum. Reminds me of turning a drum on a brake lathe. It could be something rubbing on a wheel too. Seems like that would leave some wear marks though.

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Did you check your rear u-joint?

I have not, but no popping and vibration at all.

Hard to tell for sure, but it sounds like something on the inside of the brake drum. Reminds me of turning a drum on a brake lathe. It could be something rubbing on a wheel too. Seems like that would leave some wear marks though.

I agree, I cant find anything other than normal drum and shoe wear. The shoes look great!

Have you checked the rear wheel bearing by lifting the axle flange up and down? that happened to me on a 1972 Ford station wagon when the driver side wheel bearing failed and the drum was pushing on the bottom of the shoes and dragging.

Not yet, but I will try that asap.

 

[Stanglover]

What about the drum being out of round.
Did you happen to do what I have done more than once, drive the car with the parking brake on, causing the drum to over heat?
Remember my post awhile back about installing a parking brake warning light!!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Thanks for all the help. I took the wheel, brake drum, and brake components apart and found this. I have no idea how I picked up this, it’s not a nut from my car. Crazy!

 

[Bentworker]

Thanks for all the help. I took the wheel, brake drum, and brake components apart and found this. I have no idea how I picked up this, it’s not a nut from my car. Crazy!

That’s wild!
I take it you second checked your backing plate nuts?

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Yes sir. All present and accounted for!

 

[Sheriff41]

That's nuts!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

That's nuts!

Yes, right? It was really rubbing me the wrong way and grinding on my last nerve.

 

[Stanglover]

Bizarre is NOT the word! How the heck did/could that get in there?
Glad you solved the mystery.

 

[Steve McMahan]

That’s where that nut that fell off my workbench is . . .

 

[PoFoMoCo]

That’s where that nut that fell off my workbench is . . .

Not cool, not cool at all... I was sure I'd made it outta there without you seeing me!

 

[fmjcraig]

I wondered where that nut I lost went…I checked the lost sock room, but it wasn’t there either.

 

[jpaz]

Man , that’s nutz!

 

[midlife]

Isn't that the loose nut from behind the steering wheel?

 

[Stanglover]

Isn't that the loose nut from behind the steering wheel?

Just what I was going to say, you beat me too it.

 

[Retired2014]

Isn't that the loose nut from behind the steering wheel?

Groan…

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Isn't that the loose nut from behind the steering wheel?

Good to see you are back in your normal “rare” form! Hope your recovery is progressing well and you feel better!