Technical Rear end clicking

Got a 32 Sedan 350/350 with a Ford 8” rear with drum brakes. When turning right I get a clicking sound out of the p***enger rear wheel. Does not do it when turning left, only at slower speeds to the right. Got weld wheels with knock off spinners screwed to the wheels. Initially thought it was a loose wheel and torqued the lugs and it seemed to go away but has returned since torquing. No wobble just an annoying clicking. Any ideas?

 

If it’s not a limited slip set up then cold be spider gears.
I’d check that axle bearing as well.
Can you jack it up, have someone hold the drivers side wheel and turn the other wheel?

 

Check for witness marks from a wheel balance weight (or something else) touching somewhere during body roll when cornering......??? Of course, that is ***uming that the "tick" is in time with the wheel rotation.

 

Seem to recall hearing some thing before
Brake shoe / backing plate ?

 

I've had a broken shoe hold down spring cause a clicking noise. Allowed the shoe to **** slightly and catch on the drum. Only heard it when the wheel was turning slowly.

 

I am interested with the comments here.
I also have an ex Mustang 8 inch diff 3.0 with 302 C4 in my daily driver 46 Sedan Delivery and I have been chasing an intermittent noise that makes a lazy click type sound from the rear that to me, sounds like the handbrake cable rattling against the ch***is. I have checked the handbrake cable many times and it is not the culprit. After 2 years and 15K miles I have still not identified or eliminated the sound. It does not appear to be speed related as it does not change at different speeds. During that time I have for different reasons changed the wheel bearings , installed new brake shoes and constantly check the wheel nuts and other bolts etc. I am reasonably sure it is something to do with the rear end or diff. The diff also has a bit of a whine which I am told by the experts is pretty standard for the 8 inch diff and that is just how they are and to just put up with it, but with the Sedan Delivery it echoes in the car. So, because of the whine and the fact it is hard to get the Mustang brake shoes here in Australia that I have decided to replace the 60 year old diff and put in a modern (30 year old) 1990's diff complete with nice disc brakes. I currently have the "new' 3.25 LSD diff dismantled and I am shortening it to suit the Delivery it is a big job to shorten the diff and install it but you know I may even get rid of the annoying click type rattle.

 

Heard from a feller I know that had a clicking noise. Wheel stud hitting a brake spring

 

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I had the axle bearings replaced last year so I will start with a process of eliminations from the suggestions posted and let you know if it helps. Again, Thank you.

 

If you torqued the wheel and it went away, I'd be torquing the wheel again and see what happens.

 

I would look for any place on that side that looks shiny, means its making contact. If rear drum brakes. The parking brake strut bar can be hitting the axel when over rough road. If the noise goes away applying brakes,look there. If the spring on the end of the bar has an ear on it ,that keeps the bar lifted off the axel.

 

Swap rear tires to eliminate an issue with the wheel.

 

Any loose pieces on that screwed-on knock off spinner?

 

If you're not finding any visible mechanical issues . . . Swap the wheel and tire from side to side, or even front to rear if possible. See if the noise follows that wheel or stays at the right rear. Might save you some time chasing your tail.

Get an aerosol can of silicone spray. Not lithium grease or other thick lube with silicone. You want something thin enough to creep into tight spaces. Go through the rear suspension first and look for anything that's mounted in rubber. Leaf spring eye and shackle bushings. Sway bar mounting and link grommets. Trailing arms, panhard rod or any other locating arms attached to the rear suspension with rubber bushings or mounts. Shock absorber mounts. Give any of these rubber mounts and bushings a generous spray of silicone and give it a bit of time to soak in. Dried out bushings and such can suffer from "stiction" and make various pops, clicks, groans and growls as they stick and release under loading.

You might consider doing the same to the front suspension as well. The rubber loves the silicone and it will make it last longer. If you have rubber body mounts give them a shot of spray as well. Any rubber mounts in hanging the exhaust system? Treat then the same way. I suggest doing only one area at a time to help narrow down where the source of the noise is.

 

Last time my rear end was clicking there was an explosion shortly afterward.

 

Change the rear end oil and add fresh posi additive to the new oil. Then go out to an empty parking lot and drive in circles 5 times each way (l & R) and I’ll bet the clicking goes away.

 

This method will work best if the axle and gear lube are well warmed up. Not just a couple miles of in town driving. Take it out for a good stretch of highway driving first. Then find an empty parking lot and start cutting some figure 8's.

 

Many years ago I purchased OT ‘70 Cobra ( Torino ) factory drag pack option . My 1st ride was burnt into my memory bank . I quickly learned the clicking and banging sounds coming from a Detroit Locker on the first hard turn into a driveway to fuel up . The car would jump a bit sideways when it broke free