• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Rear Axle Coming Loose

sjudson

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2002
Messages
278
Location
St.Augustine FL
I have had a very slight sound coming from my rear wheels.Just to make sure it was not something I did the following was done.I had the tires balanced,rotated and a wheel aligment.Then I started to change brake pads that did not need replacing(front first).When I started on the rear ones I found the parking brake behind the drum was scraping the drum(never use parking brake)Clean everything up and adjusted the brake all the way in.On the right side there was the same problem but there was greese in that area and the axle had 1/8 " play in it.It is time to go to the dealer,a first at 27 K.Has anyone else heard of this type of problem?
 
The play was that up and down or back and forth - some movement back and forth is normal. BTW the shoes for the e-brake should be close if not slightly touching as this is the proper adjustment to allow for e-brake travel application and holding power. What did the grease look like? If it was rear axle lube it will be thinner than grease applied to the mechanism for lubrication purposes. If you will post these answers I will get back to you on it.
Richard
 
The grease was dark and thick like bearing grease. The movement was in and out,but it was only on that side and it seemed like there was play in the differental.I did check the level in dif.(it was 1.5" below plug,which is OK for a 1500/2 wheel drive).The noise started about 500 miles ago and it is just enough for me to worry about.It almost sounds like a snow tire that is slightly out of round.The Michelin's that have been on it for about 2K with no rough driving or braking(I am the only one that drives it).I think it is a bad axle bearing.What do you think Doctor?
 
Well without looking at it - I would say your assessment of the possibility sounds good. The bearing in the rear axle is a pressed bearing and the grease comes from the differential through the axle tube and should be rear end lube - it is possible that the bearing is noisey especially if the tires are smooth. I would most certainly take it in for inspection as damage to the axle shaft can result from bearing failure.
 
Yes definitely take it in. It is ALWAYS better to be safe when dealing with the drivetrain then be sorry later when your wheels drops of or your rear diff locks up and welds itself together.
 
Been there before. I have had the following with my rearend.

1st time about 25K miles. Took it in for repair on my e-brake. The said one of the seal was leaking. So they replace it.

2nd time about 28K miles. Noise was getting louder so I took it in again. They found a bad inner bearing where the bearing race was damaged so they had to replace the whole rearend including the housing. They told me everything inside was new. Most of the noise was gone.

3rd time about 35K miles. Noise was coming back again. They found one of the outer bearings had gone bad. This is one that was replace less than 7K miles. Got a new outer wheel bearing and noise was gone.

I am now at 42K miles and I think the noise is starting to come back. I am not sure. I still have the stock 16" firestones so the noise may be the tires getting old. I will be putting new ones on and see what happens.
 
Just an up date,took it in today.It took all day for tech to drive it,but he confrimed that there was problems in the rear end and it was not the first time he had seen this problem.Needs it for at least 2 days to go into it and I will let everyone know the out come next week.
 
sjudson said:
Just an up date,took it in today.It took all day for tech to drive it,but he confrimed that there was problems in the rear end and it was not the first time he had seen this problem.Needs it for at least 2 days to go into it and I will let everyone know the out come next week.


well steve,

hope it works out...I don't know if you took the rental car...hope not...it's a metro or cavalier...imagine that...strange w/out the AV...huh. ;)

talk to you soon...
 
sjudson said:
Yes I will be taking the loaner but can you see if I could use that Black Vette instead.

ZO6...that would be cool if Patti would lend you that one... I will tell her it's part of the deal thru the Club.. ;)
 
sjudson said:
PlanetAV tell Patti I will only put 75 miles on it and if I like it , it would make a nice match for my AV
Only 75 miles? Yeah, right! >:D

Once you get your hands on that, nothing's going to stop you! You won't want to give it back. :cry:

The picture flashing in my mind right now is from Ferris Beuller's Day Off where they have Cameron's father's car on the jack running in reverse to try and take off the miles. :eek:

-- SS
 
ShapeShifter said:
Only 75 miles? Yeah, right! >:D

Once you get your hands on that, nothing's going to stop you! You won't want to give it back. :cry:

The picture flashing in my mind right now is from Ferris Beuller's Day Off where they have Cameron's father's car on the jack running in reverse to try and take off the miles. :eek:

-- SS


I'm with SS...I know steve and if he takes the ZO6,, right 75 miles...he be gone to the Nationals with it.. >:D
 
Update on this problem,although I have not gotten it back yet and will post no more on this unless there is a problem.
1.Rebuild parking brake due to notice from GM.
2.Rebulid all of rear end assy.
3.Replaced rear engine main seal(other small problem that they went ahead and fixed).
Hopefully this will cure all problems since I am leaving FL to drive to Denver CO -10 days from now(would not be nice to have this type of problem on top of Pikes Peak)
 
Back
Top