lately i've noticed a "clicking" for lack of a better word from the rear end of the truck. The sound is coming from the driver's side right at the tire it seems. The truck's got the 14 bolt FF axle.

I jacked up the rear end of the truck, put it on jackstands and blocked the front tires so the truck wouldn't move. Started it up, put it into drive and heard the clicking(driver's side rear tire) and a growling(bad center support bearing) when the truck was in the air. The center support bearing is getting changed once it warms up a bit more outside.

Any idea what it could be?

A bit of history on what i've done so far.

- Both wheels have new inner wheel bearings(couldn't get snap ring pliers big enough to remove the outer bearings).
- All bearings were packed(outer bearings packed as best as i could).
- Dif fluid changed to RP 75w-140.

The truck's also had 2 new wheel cylinders, new shoes, new springs, new axle seals on both sides and new e-brake cables/hardware roughly a year ago.

this was all done before winter set in.


Thanks all.

- Dave

You shure there aint a pebble rolling around inside the wheel lug cover and/or rim ring trim. I had that before.
Or a broken top brake spring hanging side ways and hitting the stud heads?

You shure there aint a pebble rolling around inside the wheel lug cover and/or rim ring trim. I had that before.
Or a broken top brake spring hanging side ways and hitting the stud heads?

i'll have to pull the axle out and the drum off to check. on the bright side i'm getting good at removing the axle/brake drum. :rolleyes:

the springs were all new, unless one was defective and failed?

just to add some more info, when i checked the outer bearings they were not damaged from what i could see. normally when a bearing goes bad you'll get a growling correct? Clicking would mean that something is physically damaged(like a roller ripped out or damaged cage) i'd think.

What do you run for wheels? One thing I have seen is center caps making noise. This was on my weld wheels. I put the center on without the O-ring and GD did that cost me. Got to punch through my center cap with a chisel and break it off and replace it. FFFF!! My bad. Anyone ever put an Al bolt in an Al thread? Good luck! Another on of those "duh" moments.

What do you run for wheels? One thing I have seen is center caps making noise. This was on my weld wheels. I put the center on without the O-ring and GD did that cost me. Got to punch through my center cap with a chisel and break it off and replace it. FFFF!! My bad. Anyone ever put an Al bolt in an Al thread? Good luck! Another on of those "duh" moments.


they are the stock steelie's just painted. the centercap as in the plastic centercap?

i'll have to pull the axle out and the drum off to check. on the bright side i'm getting good at removing the axle/brake drum. :rolleyes:

the springs were all new, unless one was defective and failed?

just to add some more info, when i checked the outer bearings they were not damaged from what i could see. normally when a bearing goes bad you'll get a growling correct? Clicking would mean that something is physically damaged(like a roller ripped out or damaged cage) i'd think.a clicking brg, like you said is not very likely,cause the cage cant split apart like on a ball brg.,but then again it could be a possibillity if 1 or 2 cross bars from the cage are broken out and pressure on the rollers makes one stay behind,and then goes over center and shoot out of the way and hit his neighbor,CLICK. Possible ya. Or a cracked race.

just had to rescue my father from a breakdown on the highway. noticed that the entire drive there and back, there was no clicking.

:confuzeld

I'm lost. it does this randomly, and when i apply the brakes it goes away, or gets so quiet i can't hear it. Pete suggested that maybe when the place i had put the new shoes in over adjusted them?

Dave, spoke with my brakes proffessor he says check for rust, ridges, out of round, over adjust.

or just drive it till it goes away, could be the new shoes still seating in place.

Dave, spoke with my brakes proffessor he says check for rust, ridges, out of round, over adjust.

or just drive it till it goes away, could be the new shoes still seating in place.


Thanks Pete. i wouldn't be surprised if the drum was a tad out of round. The drums were so scored from the old shoes having nothing left on them that i didn't even have them cut down. i couldn't afford new drums at the time, and i still can't now. Hopefully this summer i can get 2 new ones.

how long does it usually take for shoes to seat? i'd think not too long with drums that aren't all scored, but with scored ones i can see it taking a while.

:p: until the new shoes are scored... :eek:

:p: until the new shoes are scored... :eek:

:mad: what a waste of brake shoes. damnit. oh well. can't blame anyone but myself as i didn't have new drums put on.

if i can't afford new drums/rotors or to have them turned, i'll put on the cheapest shoes/pads i can until i can afford to do it right. cause if you put new drums on the old shoes now....guess what :eek:

if i can't afford new drums/rotors or to have them turned, i'll put on the cheapest shoes/pads i can until i can afford to do it right. cause if you put new drums on the old shoes now....guess what :eek:

good thing they were the cheapest shoes i could find that were still riveted to the backing plates. i think i paid ~$50 for them.

-tells dave how to do his job- maybe you should replace the whole braking system like i did :p: .... :rolleyes:

Dave,you'r just about as bad as some other posters.IE,[not giving the whole story].
now i read you got old worn ffed up drums matched up with new shoes on that thing!:duh: About as helpfull as new brgs on a worn out crankshaft
I just hope you can stop that veh when you need to slam the brakes

Dave,you'r just about as bad as some other posters.IE,[not giving the whole story].
now i read you got old worn ffed up drums matched up with new shoes on that thing!:duh: About as helpfull as new brgs on a worn out crankshaft
I just hope you can stop that veh when you need to slam the brakes

trust me the truck stops. I've tested the brakes numerous times dodging deer around here. :eek:

junk drums = now junk shoes. the shoes that were on the truck were gone down to the backing plates, so when i took the truck in to get the ebrake cable fixed, the mastertech brings me into the shop and says "what brake shoes?" I put some cheap ones on and left it that way. I've had the drums off since and the shoes don't really look that bad. Are they scored a tad, yes but that's what happens when your broke. :mad:

And Pete, i did have the entire braking system replaced. too bad i didn't do it myself. :mad:

be happy you didn;t...remember my thread :p:

be happy you didn;t...remember my thread :p:

i'll bet the $500 for the job that i did wish i did them myself. :rolleyes:


Thanks all for your help.

I'm off to rewire the alternator in the Screw-baru. damn thing needed to be flat bedded again last night after it fried its alternator, the alternator harness and the battery went stone dead. God i hate that car. :mad:

lol, i paid 540 in parts and 0 in labor, could do my brakes 2-3 times myself for what it costs to have a shop do them.

just wait until you get the howling from them, its embarrassing... I need to replace my drums there so shot, lol.

just wait until you get the howling from them, its embarrassing... I need to replace my drums there so shot, lol.


i plan on doing all this work sometime this summer. if you feel like joining me let me know. 2 heads working on a job are better than one.