VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Loud in Rear Axle.

Hello!

I have got a problem in my Chevrolet Coash 1931.
There are a highly loud from the rear axle or the propeller shaft.When I drive is there a loud, but when I release the clutch is the loud gone.The outer bearing at the drive axle are new.
Are there some one who can help me to find the problem and give me some advice?
Best Regards
Bengt From Sweden

If you are sure that the loud noise is coming from the rear end it likely is one of the pinion bearings. However, it could be from the transmission or U-joint as the solid torque tube can transmit noises and make them seem to originate from a different location. If you remove the floor board and then use a stethoscope or long probe that you can put to your ear then you can better locate the origin of the sound.

If it is the pinion bearings or definitely in the rear end, you will need to take it apart to find the problem. That is why you need to be sure where it originates before taking the wrong thing apart.

Another area to check is the front drive shaft bushing and wear to the driveshaft bearing surface. You may have to have the drive shaft built up with metal by spraying or plating and ground back to standard size. When you check the universal joint, check for large movement of the driveshaft in the front of the torque tube.

Hello Bent,

had the same trouble in may 2010. Because one of the previous african owners of my south african 1931 did hit a big rock or anything else the torque tube was bent and after long years the pinion bearings broke down.

You may see the whole mess at:

http://de.fotoalbum.eu/stefha/a466185

The noise was awful, but as chipper said, it was not easy to locate at all.
under all conditions I had a loud squeaking, but it was not to locate. I did jack up the rear end and did release the u-joint ball housing, but there was visible nothing and definitly no problem there. The U-joint was in perfect condition.

I run the engine with jacked up rear wheels, let idle the engine with 1st gear and could locate the noise anywhere backwards in diff. area.

Later I did pull the axle shaft and did take out the complete differential, after that again idling with 1st gear and with only rotating propeller shaft and loud squeaking noise it was found. Removed the complete rear end and did take out the prop. shaft and there was no pinion bearing anymore left.
Just few smashed small pieces, as you can see.
An old experienced blackmith (his name: Heinz Bender (!!!)) did bend the torque tube straigt and Chip Boyd, an amazing helpful friend, did bring all needed spare parts and I could bring my wheeled love back on the road. Few weeks later a workshop fire (in early july) did finish everything, but I am looking forward.

My "new" 1940 is on the way to germany now.

Hope I could help you a bit or give you an idea what you may find in your torque tube.
But even in worst case dont forget: What chip said is true: Everything can be repaired on these old cars!

Stefangermany

Thanks for answer and tips.
I have removed the floor board and jacket up the rear end ,release the u-joint ball housing, there was visible nothing and probably no problem.I have run the car whitd jacket up the rear end. I can probably locate the noise to the rear end.
Itook the differential cover off and do not find steel parts in the differential bottom.If I take the drive axle off, can I drive the car whithout them.Are there easier to located the noise?
Bengt From Sweden

Hi Stefan,

It is good to see your postings again. How are you? And I hope your injuries from the fire are getting better with the passing of time. I remember from your earlier postings about your back axle problem, so it is good to see the photos. I am sure your 40 will help put the whole episode behind you.

Regards from Australia

Ray Dean

No. The wheels, hubs and brake drums are attached to the rear axles and they support the rear of the car. Without them the car cannot be driven. You can run the vehicle while on jackstands however, but some of the oil in the rear end would probably run out the ends of the axle housing and I wouldn't recommend doing so without the axles in place.

Hello skip!
How are you doing. I am well and have a good live as pensioner.
The car has run well.But now are there loading. You are right the drive axle most be there when I drive the car jacked up.
But I am not sure what bearing who is louding.
Can you whith your experens tell me what you think.
Which bearing can it be to loading?
Bengt From Sweden

Hi Ya Bengt!

Glad that you are doing well and that you are enjoying retirement.

Regarding the noise.....if you are sure it is coming out of your rear housing assembly, and the axle bearings are new, then no doubt, as Chipper said in an earlier posting, the noise is coming from the pinion bearings or possibly the differential bearings.

Glad to see you on CC II again.

Hello Stefan!
Thanks for the pictures and tips.It must have been a big bang in your car. Please give me your mail adress.
Here in Sweden are so could and snowing today so I have to wait with the test.
My Mail is: elbeanca@telia.com
Bengt From Sweden

the last five i have taken apart the ring was loose on the carrier . i just bolted them in still working put a little locktite on the threads when they get loose it sounds like all the bearings are bad hope this helps

Steve from The Filling Station here. One thing that has not been mentioned is the driveshaft coupler that holds the propeller shaft to the pinion gear. This coupler can fail and rub against the torque tube housing. It will make a lot of noise whenever the car is moving. I had one go out on my 1931 Coupe many years ago and it is not fun to replace it. What happened in my case is that one of the rivets holding the coupler worked loose. This allowed movement in the coupler and the coupler cracked under the stress. I got it out before the coupler failed completely but it sure made a lot of noise until then.

Hello Bengt -

Just a thought here. "When driving, have a loud noise, but after releasing clutch, noise is gone."

Not to interfer here, and there are many more experienced people to give you advice, but seems to me that when pressure is relieved when releasing clutch, indicates that noise is from forward of rear end. My experience has been that if pinion gears are bad, they still rotate when moving, making me believe that they would still be noisy.

I am thinking that noise transfers easily, possibly from tranny, clutch assy, and as mentioned, driveshaft assy.

I stand correctly easily so anyone else that wants to correct me, please do so.

Jim.

thanks for replay.
Steve if there are a rivet who are loose at the coupler, there must be a loud when I relise the clach too.
I think is must be the pinion bearing , but I am not sure.
Here i Sweden are that could and snowing.That have snowing for 6 days now. So i am going to help older people to get away the snow.I have to wait to test until it will be warmer.
Jim I am thinking about your tips that are good.
Bengt From Sweden

Hi Bengt,
sorry for delay, during your last posting about snow in sweden I was on holiday in turkey and did swim in the ocean. We had about 25 degrees celsius and at evening I did watch turkish TV weather forecast and they said something about minus 10 in sweden and I was happy not to be there.
am back now, and it was awful to leave the plane in Salzburg airport (SZG) in shorts and summer clothes and it was minus 1 and snowing.
My email is laudy@stefha.de

All the best for your project
stefan

Hi!
It has snowing for 9 days now and that are 10-15 grader celcius.
So I have to wait untill it will be warmer.
Bengt From Sweden

Bengt, I think that means July in Sweden!!!