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Rubbing noise from right rear wheel

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Mio

Mio

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Greetings,
I have spent the last few months (only get to work on the car once a week if I'm lucky) completing a major tune up and incorporating some performance upgrades on my Bugeye. I took the car for a short spin around the parking lot at my buddy's shop this afternoon and noticed a distinct rubbing noise coming from the passenger side rear wheel. The noise happens at any speed, whether under load or not, and whether braking or not and is much, much more pronounced when the wheel is turned to the right (I was doing slow circles to the left and then to the right in first and second gear).

We had replaced everything associated with the rear brakes (including the lines) and thought perhaps it was a backing plate or wheel cylinder rubbing against the hub. However, we put jackstands under the rear axle, pulled both rear wheels and even went so far as to put it in gear so as to attempt to isolate the noise. No luck...it ONLY makes noise with the wheels on and, again, most definitely sounds like it's coming from the passenger side rear.

Any compelling theories out there?

Thanks,
Mike
 
What is the tire rubbing on?
 
can you CAREFULLY put it on jackstands and run it with tires on? making sure the jackstands are on the axles so the weight is on the wheels
 
Hi Jack and John,
Actually, there is NO indication that the tire is rubbing on anything. We examined the tire (and inner part of the wheel) for any sign of unusual wear after removing it from the car and there is nothing to suggest that it is what is rubbing.

While we did put the car up on jackstands (placed under the axles) and ran it with the wheels removed, we didn't do so with both wheels on (the suspected culprit side had always had the wheel removed). Perhaps running it on jackstands with both wheels on might point more clearly to the problem. In the spirit of 'This makes no sense but I'll try it anyway', I even went so far as to switch the rear wheels around. However, this did nothing to eliminate the noise upon driving the car.

Mike
 
Mike you know this is going to be something stupid and we are all going to say Duh, should have thought of that.

Jack stands with both wheels on. If no noise you got to be preaty sure it is a rear wheel bearing in my opinion.
Sound kind of moves around at times, hard to tell where it is really comming from.
 
j said:
Sound kind of moves around at times, hard to tell where it is really comming from.
Click to expand...

Hi Jack,
Agreed, which is the primary reason I literally had three (3) individuals standing in the parking lot listening as I did my tight left- right-turn circles and drive bys in first and second gear and everyone believed the noise to emit from the right rear wheel/supension (including myself).

We'll replicate the jackstand procedure whereby the jacks are placed under the rear axle and the tires are left on while someone 'drives' the car.

Thanks!
Mike
 
You may not get the noise when it is jacked up. Possibly you will get it when weight is on. This would indicate that bad wheel bearings is a high probability.
Bill
 
If you are still stumped, get some coppergrease, rub a line around the inside tirewall and drive it. Take it off, and see where it's transferring.
 
Billm said:
You may not get the noise when it is jacked up. Possibly you will get it when weight is on. This would indicate that bad wheel bearings is a high probability.
Click to expand...

Hi Bill,
Very true only I literally replaced every single component comprising the rear axle and brakes, including the bearings. Suffice it to say that it takes me longer to accept a part as being at fault when it is brand new though it would appear that the bearing is likely the problem. For what it's worth, two weeks ago I installed a brand new distributor that was dead right out of the box so these things obviously happen.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Bearing slightly off-true, maybe? Did both wheels spin freely (with little or no run-out) after the rebuild?

Have you rebuilt the brakes, too? It's not just a pad dragging, a brake hardware spring rubbing on the inside of the hub, or something similar?
 
Question for you.
Did you change to the later back plates?
If so, you have to grind about 1/16 off the back edge
of the brake drum. I don't know why but every time I put later back plates on a Bugeye axle, the drums rub on the plate.
Also are the top brake springs positioned to go OVER the hub?
They have an offset on them. (later ones anyway)
 
tosoutherncars said:
Did both wheels spin freely (with little or no run-out) after the rebuild? Have you rebuilt the brakes, too?
Click to expand...

Yes, both wheels spun freely without any problems. Absolutely no noise or other irregularity is noticeable when the car was up on jack stands and the wheels were turned.

Yes, the rear brakes were completely rebuilt (i.e., drums, wheel cyinders, shoes, springs, etc.).

Mike
 
Guess I have to go with bearing.
 
spritenut said:
Did you change to the later back plates?Also are the top brake springs positioned to go OVER the hub?
Click to expand...

Actually, the previous owner had already converted to the later back plates and there had been no previous rubbing until I completed with the most recent repairs. I will have to confirm the placement of the top brake springs the next time that I make it to the shop.

Thanks,
Mike
 
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