Unusual noise in the rear wheels

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:29 pm

I started the day out with the intention of changing the grease in the rear end, unfortunately I was thwarted by the filler plug not wanting to give up.

It had been rounded off once before and everything I tried went nowhere.

While I had the car up off the ground I spun the back wheels and was greeted with a "tick-a tick-a tick-a" sound coming from in there someplace.

I could hear it on both sides but not from underneath so I eliminated the u-joints from suspicion.

Could it be the wheel bearings? or something in the differential case?

Does it just make a noise like that when the weight is off the rear end?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

And I still haven't been able to get the plug out

Neil

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:51 pm

first, let me congratulate you on checking the fill plug before removing the drain plug! No sense draining it if you can't refill it. Are you sure the click isn't coming from the brakes? Usually wheel bearings don't click unless they've completely come apart. There is backlash between the ring and pinion, so if you're turning the tires back and forth, you can get a click. Of course a chipped tooth can make that noise also

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 1:55 pm

Thanks Mark. It was one of those "I've been screwed before" situations and when I looked at the rounded off plugs, I decided I better see if I could loosen them first before proceeding.

The clicking comes when the wheels are turned continuously, I'll try to get some audio posted of it, maybe that will help identify what's going on.

When you say "come apart" about the bearings, I would think that wiggling the wheel would provide some slack if they were bad, no?

So far it all seems solid, I just wonder if it's transmitting some noise from the differential itself.
I got under the car and turned the wheels, I could hear the sound from the wheel area, but nothing from the diff.

Go figure!

Neil

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:35 pm

I wanted to do something all clever and embed a video of the back wheel but I can't figure out how to do it, so I'll just post the link to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmE5n5iRhe0

It's only about 38 seconds and highlights the sound the rear end is making.
Hope it sounds familiar!

I've noticed that most Fiat problems are common to all Fiats and someone has encountered one or more at some time or other!!

Neil

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:30 pm

the scraping noise sounds like the dust shield rubbing the wheel, the other noise sounds like the spider gears turning. With the car on the ground the spider gears only turn when the car is turning and the rear wheels are turning different speeds. When you raise the car and spin one wheel the spider gears turn, that's why the other wheel turns backwards

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:44 pm

Hey Mark,
I'd agree with you about the dust shields except they aren't present (I'm currently reworking some off of another rear end)

Overall, does this sound dangerous to you?
Is it something that will leave me stranded?
Am I being a little paranoid?

Neil

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:04 am

always good to be concerned about noises, but what you're hearing is normal, not the scraping though.

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:03 am

I'm going to go in and sort out the scraping while I have it off the ground replacing the donut, so with luck that won't be an issue anymore!

Thanks!

Neil