Hi all, need some input to see if I can resolve this.

Since puttin on my 4" lift, I have been getting a crunching/popping noise, like metal grinding on metal from the drivers side rear brake. I tore it apart, thinking it was dirt in the brakes, but it was clean. Recently did a rebuild (new bearings and seals) of the rear axle while putting in new gears, and it went away until I went wheeling, then it came back. The pads are in good shape, and there are no scores in the drum. The wheel cylinders are all tight...Hmmmm. Beats the He** outa me.

It only seems to happen as I'm coming to a stop. I don't hear it initially when applying the brakes, but when i get down to just before the stop. doesn't happen every time, but most of the time.

Could it be a bent axle shaft? is there something I'm overlooking? Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Erik <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

How do your U-bolts on your leaf springs look? I haven't done the rear wheel bearing thingy yet. Not really looking foreward to it either.

To be honest, I havn't checked those yet, but I have looked, and nothing seems like it's moving. I don't hear any noise on starting off which I would expect. (Had that problem on a 72 blazer I had years ago). I'll check it though, thanks for the input.

Erik

Jack up rear axle, remove wheel.

Have friend apply hard pressure to brakes.

Look all the way around rear drum for cracks. Rotate drum 90 degrees and check again. If cracked, it will open up to where you can see it when brakes applied.

If no crack in drum, pull drum and inspect shoes to see if they are shifting and attempting to rotate with drum.

Check backing plate mounting bolts tight and also for cracks. Look closely at wheel cylinder. See if it is bolted tight and check backing plate near it for cracking.

Make certain shoes are not reversed. Some brakes have leading and trailing shoes. One goes in front, the other to the rear....I don't know if Toy rear brakes are like that or not.

P.S. Also, before removing the rear wheel, spin it to see if it runs true and is seated flat against the drum, that your wheel isn't loose or wallowing at the lug studs due to wrong lug nuts being used.