Rear end growl

[scruggs]

My 1999 Chim 500 has developed a low pitch whine, or high pitch growl, from the rear end in time with the wheel rotation. Knock it out of gear and roll along and the noise is still there. Slow down to below 20 mph and the noise reduces to a point where it is unaudible.

My first thoughts are diff issues or wheel bearing. If it is the diff will it need overhauling immediately or can I growl on through the Autumn and worry about it after the winter lay up?

[Simon says]

I reckon rear wheel bearing/s if it's as bad as you say then it should be easily detected with the rear wheels of the ground and a fast wheel rotate with your hands you should feel/hear the roughness compare to the other side to get a feel for it unless that side is shagged too if your in doubt a local garage could diagnosis for you for a small fee

Edited by Simon says on Wednesday 31st August 16:57

[anonymous-user]

Alternatively if it turns out to be the diff, there are some good additives that will make it quiet until you have it stripped down. I silenced a jag diff on a previous car with one bottle of goop.

[scruggs]

Thanks for the feedback. Where is the best place under the rear end to put a trolley jack so I can check for wheel bearing issues? On the drive home from work this evening the 'noise' seemed to be coming from the rear near side.

If the diagnosis is Diff then I might try Davids 'gloop' method until next season!

[anonymous-user]

You can get on the main chassis either side of the exhaust and this is the only real safe place. You must use axle stands also as the chassis is undoubtedly oily and therefore quite slippery.

It is a firm and safe place to put the jack pad .

[scruggs]

I do not intend to get underneath the thing, just lift it a couple of inches off the ground.

I have a couple of axle stands that were made as part of a test project for apprentices when my late father was a machine shop supervisor in the heavy engineering business. The task spec was that each one could support a weight of 20 ton (not metric in those days). Two of them should be more than enough to hold up a Chim! Actually each one is best moved using two hands and a straight back!