1996 'Howling rear end'

[Mark Hart]

Hi guys, another question.
I recently have noticed a loud howling noise from the rear of my Camaro RS (V-6 70,000 miles). This is not the positraction differential. Tires have been rotated and no difference, the differential fluid is full. I suspect rear wheel bearings. I have seen other posts expressing concerns about the rear ends on Camaros. Can anyone enlighten me of any issues with these? Any thoughts on diagnosing?
Thanks, Mark

[89IROC&RS]

well does sound like a bearing of some sort, how sure are you that its not the differential??? there are three bearings back there, usually the first place i look with rear end noise.

[Mark Hart]

Thanks,
I'm not very familiar with axles. I assume the differential bearings are lubricated by the differential fluid, but how are the outer wheel bearings lubricated? I've never seen any suggested routine lubrication of these.
Just wondering, this is out of my league and I'll probably have it diagnosed professionally, but I always like to be informed.
Take care, Mark

[Genopsyde]

maybe you ran a dog over.

[89IROC&RS]

inner bearings are lubed by the gear oil, but that dosnt mean they didnt wear or get damaged. a tiny rough spot will cause a harmonic vibration that will be amplified by the driveshaft. the outer wheel bearings are packed with grease and lube themselves, but also lube from the axle carrier travles down the axle tubes to the outter ends, and provides additional lubrication. again just a small blemish on the bearing surface will cause a howling noise.

[DaMoNe6969]

I had the same problem with my 86' 2.8L when I bought the car.. And to this day, 4 years later it still sounds like a hapachi helicopter... Hasnt affected anything yet..

And I checked.. no dog..

[85smoker]

i have a 1985 for sale, mint condition, 3000 obo

[96Civ]

Its called open your trunk and let the dog out.

[caw333]

Well, my experience with the howling noises coming from the rear end was with the differential. It howled for a few months and then made this loud metal banging noise and that was it for the rear end. Took the housing cover off and raked small pieces out. Or there might just be a dog up under there wanting out.

[Murco]

Originally Posted by DaMoNe6969

I had the same problem with my 86' 2.8L when I bought the car.. And to this day, 4 years later it still sounds like a hapachi helicopter... Hasnt affected anything yet..

The most common cause of the howling you described is the outer wheel bearings grooving the axle. The axle has a bearing surface that is polished about 4" in from the hub. If that surface goes dry, is "shock-loaded", or gets any debris in it the surface will be marred and begin to break down. The bearings begin to erode the surface further and start hammer-welding the surface and making noise.

[spaghetti&]

my rear end whines after i eat spanish food.
what do you think of that?
maybe i need a new air byepass valve?

[quickkitty]

use a sledge

[spaghetti&]

is that the old sledge plug technique?
i was thinking about putting some fix a flat in my ass?

[quickkitty]

its works great
you need a 5 pounder too work good

[spaghetti&]

smack that ass with a sledge biotch!