Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I read the tech wiki write up on rear axel bearings. I have a light scraping sound coming from the rear end, It is speed sensitive. I would estimate one scrape per one wheel revolution. Does this sound like a bad axel bearing to you? I think so...ugh.

Brake may be dragging on the drum/rotor?

Light scraping could also be a brake shoe or something dragging as well...but it very well could be a bearing.
When my rear axel bearing was toast, it was a 1x wheel RPM whomp-whomp-whomp that you could feel.

A pitted bearing ...the most common failure growls even if your barely moving
Moisture on the drum inside drains to the bottom
Then rusts

I would pull the rear wheels and drums and give everything a good clean and inspection.
It doesn't take much debris to cause an annoying noise like that.

very often a part of the rear backing plate drags on the drum. Take off the drum and look for a shiny wear spot on the back plate.

I need to pull my drum as well then. I have a similar sound.

Thanks for your input. I will go through the brakes and pull the axels...I don't feel any vibration but the noise is concerning.

A 3ft screwdriver placed at the bearing area to the ear or mech stethoscope or electronic ears
car on the rack, running in gears, will tell you , it's loud

Thanks red, don't have a 3 ft screwdriver but I do have a 3 ft breaker bar - that should work as well, I think

A mechanics stethoscope is about $4 at harbor freight

spl310 wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 9:11 am A mechanics stethoscope is about $4 at harbor freight

Ya, just don't blast your ear with it! After many years of rock n roll drumming my ears are very sensitive and I have cringed listening to things at times with mine!

I checked my noise this afternoon using the ol' Habor Freight stethoscope in my garage. It all sounded great.
I took off the drums to inspect and everything looked good there too. No metal on metal.
I did notice a little fender lip scrubbing on my drivers side. I need to find someone who can roll it a bit.

On another day I need to refresh the paint on my drums or check my spare set to see if they are any good, maybe be easier to paint those ones.

Spent a few hours going through the brakes and listening to rear axel bearings with stethoscope. (Doh! My Wife is a nurse and had an old one in her stash).

I found minor rubbing of the drum on the backer plate on passenger side and quite a bit of brake dust on the shoes…listened to the bearing and they sounded smooth - more noise from the differential. Cleaned up everything and went for a ride. No noise! Sigh of relief not having to replace axel bearings.

Good deal Joe. The scraping sound is a classic backing plate noise. Bearings usually howl.