rear end rubbing sound

i have this grinding/rubbing sound when i stop. it doesnt happen while braking, but when you actually come to a complete stop and the rear of the van levels back out. i have pushed the rear up and down and it doesnt make the sound cause i thought it might be the airshocks. So to me it has to be the rear drums. i have never messed with drums. I thought about taking the drums off and seeing it the pads inside or worn before i take it somewhere. anyone have this issue before?

My 2003 has a rubbing sound in the rear, but it happens just the first time you brake after the van has sat awhile. The very next time you brake the sound is gone. I've removed the drum on the right side, and the brake shoes were fine. There was a bit of dust, but nothing obvious, and braking is fine. So, I've just learned to ignore it.

The drums should come off pretty easy - just take the wheel off and tap the OD of the drum lightly with a mallet. It may be stuck just a little on the ID where it pilots on the hub.

If you've never replaced your drum brakes and it is a 1999, you're probably due.

You might also try to shake/wiggle the tire while you have the van jacked up to see if anything back there is loose and causing the noise.

Hope this helps! Glen

I've had a similar experiance with a 2000. The sound was more like a groan. I pulled the drum, spayed down the complete interior with brake cleaner, scuffed and drums the shoes with sandpaper - cloth backed stuff, and reassembed.

I'm guessing the sound is created by the shoes 'rocking' on the drum area backplate.

First I want to thank dcarver for his post. I spent this morning trying to determine the cause of a groaning sound in the rear of my wife's 2001 Montana without success. The sound occurred whenever the vehicle was put in reverse, moved backward a little, and the brake pedal pressed. It also happened when going forward and braking, but not as loud. I'd sprayed silicone on all the rubber bushings in the rear without any success at stopping the noise. I gave up and came to this forum for some help.

Anyway after doing what dcarver suggests, and a couple of other things, the noise is gone. The other thing I did was to coat the brake drum where it connects to the shaft with grease. I also coated the other side of the drum with grease where the rim rubs it. Not a lot of grease, just a light coat. Both were rusty, and I didn't want to take any chances.

Anyway it's quiet as a mouse now!

i took the rears off today and had a hell of time removing the drums. had to band the crap out of them. had alot of brake dust and buildup in there. cleaned out and really didnt notice anything wrong. lubed up those springs and put everything back together. still got that groaning sound when the vehicles comes to a complete stop. i walked along the van while the wife pressed the brakes and can confirm its the drums.

...still got that groaning sound when the vehicles comes to a complete stop. i walked along the van while the wife pressed the brakes and can confirm its the drums....

Have you considered replacing the brake shoes? They may have become hardened, or perhaps a little glazed if they are original to the van or have been on for more than 50,000 miles.

i dont know how the shoes could making the popping sound.

i dont know how the shoes could making the popping sound.


Your original post was that "...i have this grinding/rubbing sound when i stop..."

Has the sound converted from the previous grinding sound to a pop?

If so, it may indicate something quite different.

Perhaps you want to re-visit your post and update it accordingly so that the board may assist you further.

Rear drum noise is/was very common in rear drive vehicles - one of the reasons for a lot of rear disk trucks. I recall the groaning sound to be most noticeable when the front pads where down. How's the front?

rubberman: If I was you I'd pull the rear drum again, sand the surface of the each brake shoe with 60 grade sandpaper enough to rough them up a bit and, important, sand the drum itself perpendicular to the direction of rotation. When sanding the drum you just want to rough it up a bit. I bet that if you have the same problem I had this will solve it.

Good luck.

.. I had both drums cracked along the circonference just past the bolt circle. I could see light through the metal. THe sound was more like clicking though and could hear it at low speed.

.. I had both drums cracked along the circumference just past the bolt circle. I could see light through the metal. The sound was more like clicking though and could hear it at low speed.

That is amazing.

What do you think caused the drums to crack?

how do i tell if the rear shoes are worn too much? are there indicators similar to the front? i might just replace the shoes since they are cheap. i have never done brake shoes before just pads.