87 Carrera wheel/axle noise

[jlewis5534]

I have been trying to locate/fix a squeaking noise that comes from my right rear wheel when driving at very slow speeds or making slow left turns. It is getting worse and is louder when cold. Have removed wheel and inspected e-brake shoes and hardware, checked backing plate, brake pads and rotor, and the axle itself. I am unable to create noise when car is on lift so am having very hard time diagnosing the source. Noise does not seem to change when braking or using emergency brake. If you have had any experience with this please let me know. Have been dealing with this for 2 months now. Any advise would be appreciated. Note: right rear axle shaft replaced 6-8 months ago.

[DRACO A5OG]

Squeeking? maybe the Torsion bushings?

Can you post a sound clip?

Where are you located?

[jlewis5534]

It is definitely a rotational noise that almost sounds like the backing plate is lightly dragging against back or brake rotor. Becomes more noticable when making slow left turn when there is more load on right rear wheel, also sounds similar to high pitched brake squeak but braking has no affect one way or the other. Am located in santa monica, CA. Thank you for your response!

[Rainking]

J,

I have an 87 Carrera and noticed a similar noise the other morning in the same location. It went away after the car warmed up. I have not taken it out since. Let me know if you figure it out.

Kevin

[ivangene]

When the bearing fails it c an produce many different noises... some we know, some strange and hard to explain. I bet your bearing is failing and the part of the cv axle is rubbing on the shoulder of the bearing...

Seen it more than once

[jlewis5534]

Originally Posted by Rainking

J,

I have an 87 Carrera and noticed a similar noise the other morning in the same location. It went away after the car warmed up. I have not taken it out since. Let me know if you figure it out.

Kevin

Mine started out the same way, will let you know when I find it. The wheel bearing suggestion seems most likely.

[jlewis5534]

Originally Posted by ivangene

When the bearing fails it c an produce many different noises... some we know, some strange and hard to explain. I bet your bearing is failing and the part of the cv axle is rubbing on the shoulder of the bearing...

Seen it more than once

Will I see where they would rub together, or will I a have to r&r wheel bearing to see evidence of cv joint rubbing against bearing?

[ivangene]

gotta pull it...but THEN you should see... I will go take a picture of an axle I have and show you where the noise stems from..BRB

[ivangene]

OK...wait a second... I had to remember

so if the axle is rubbing you can remove the axle in a few minutes and see the wear marks on this shoulder (rusty color on this one)

in my case the HUB was rubbing and THAT required removing the bearing to discover and then I had the pleasant experience of buying a new hub to go along with my new bearing... but the hub can rub in a similar way as the axle can, but not able to see without taking apart....

[ivangene]

I have one more piece of info for you to try first.....

try tightening the nut on the axle (they can come loose and cause the same noise)

[dshepp806]

Sorry (or best?) to say I don't have any noises on the '89. Just recently rx'd my new bearings (both inner and outer) from PP.....looking forward to inspecting "what's in there"....more interesting (I guess) is that one set of bearings (Porsche specific part numbers, BTW) was from India ,.....the other set from Japan.....(this info from bearing sets/races)...packaged under German theme......

They both look primo-vera (I MUST SAY) !,..however,....WTF?

I wonder sometimes,....maybe I shouldn't,......spec is spec.

GEEZE,..

YEAP: pull it!

BEST!

Doyle

[DRACO A5OG]

Well I'm in San Pedro we can meet and see what kind of noise you have.

PM me

Jim

[Hodgey]

Same as dshepp806 says: jave at it and change it.....you'll be so glad you did
I was and my noise went away........

Rear Wheel Bearing Investigation

[jlewis5534]

Originally Posted by Hodgey

Same as dshepp806 says: jave at it and change it.....you'll be so glad you did
I was and my noise went away........

Rear Wheel Bearing Investigation

Were you getting high pitched rotational squeal/squeak or just rumbling noise? Mine has a very high pitch to it.

[DRACO A5OG]

Mine would whine/whirl after an aggressive canyon run and it would increase and decrease with speed and actually stop once I pump the brake once or come to a complete stop.

I also have a "clunk" noise on turns from the rear when making left or right.

You can come visit me when I replace my bearings so you can see what you will be getting into. I also have a 350Lb 1/2 Drive Torque Wrench ready to go

[ivangene]

mine would growl like metal to metal but only sometimes and more so on corners...turns out my hub got eaten up but the growling was from the hub/bearing contact and by the time I "heard" the noise the hub was already long gone....

having never dont this before it took a little while...but like SO many Porsche projects the learning curve is steep and I bet I could knock one out in a couple hours now...its not that bad....just follow the directions word for word and DONT forget to put the e-brake on prior to installing the bearing!

[Walt Fricke]

My SC was making rear noises. These were exaggerated when I would yank the wheel from side to side at moderate (30-60 mph) speeds. I didn't notice any change between right and left turnings. This fooled me, because 20 years ago the car made noises turning right on a race track, but not left. Which suggested left side axle bearing (loaded on right turns) was bad, and so it was.

CVs also can make noises, sometimes "sided," sometimes not really.

So I pulled the axle on the right side (thinking it was the oldest bearing) and inspected the CVs. All were OK. Pulled the bearing. Ooops - it was OK too. Conventional wisdom is that you destroy the bearing by pulling it. I think that may not really be so - you will push the grease seal out of its slot, and some of the bearing assemblies may come out. But you can repack the bearing, put things back, and push the seal back into place if it didn't get all distorted (mine didn't). But I had two new bearings, so I put one in.

On to the other side. CVs - were OK. Bearing, first race to come into view was OK. Breath held - AHA. There was the noise. You don't have to be a mechanic or engineer to recognise a damaged bearing race. Replaced.

Noise went away. And both bearings are now twins of equal age.

Pulling and replacing the rear bearings is not for the faint of heart. Absent the nice but expensive factory pullers and squeezers, you have to be clever at making things to do the job. Several nice write-ups on Pelican about home brew stuff which works. For the reinstall the main trick is to heat the hub with a propane torch - you can set up the torch and let it run all by itself for quite a while. This can help when pulling also. And to freeze the new bearing in the freezer over night. It should drop right in.

Good luck.

[CVJR]

Try checking your parking brake shoe springs that hold hte lining to the backplate. I had one on the left that wouldn't stay put and would lean into the inner brake drum and squeal. This right after replacing both bearings and races (which were needed anyway). A simple fix was to get a few "C" clips in various sizes (smaller than a pencil eraser) and slip them under the offending spring and...presto, no noise. Suggest you check this out before digging deeper. I'm sorry I don't have a picture to post.

[ivangene]

good point.. as stated...look as you go, it might be simply something loose or a rock in the brakes

[rusnak]

Push sideways against the rear bumper while looking at the wheel rim. Look for wheel play.