I have noticed a groan when I try to pull into a parking place or make a slow turn, It seems to do it alot in colder conditions. Any ideas what it could be?

 

Your probably low on fluid, have a leak, both, or your power steering pump is going.

 

Where is it coming from? Front or Back? You might wanna check your diff fluid.

 

I think that the noise is comming from the rear of the car. It really seems louder towards the back than the engine compartment. A friend suggested the U-Joints. Any Ideas?

 

If the noise is comming from the rear and the
u-joints are in good shape,Change the diff oil
when posi rears break down the oil they will
groan (posi's way of letting u know that oil must
be changed!) later GTA......

 

87z28TN,

Any luck on the groaning noise (coming from the car of course)?

You nailed the noise right on the head with what I am hearing from my cars rear end.

Mark

 

No luck yet. I am going to replace my u-joints and check my diff fluid as soon as the weather changes from constant rain. I am hoping to do so this weekend. If you have any luck with your groaning noise let me know.

 

I will be giving the fluid a change this week sometime.

I will let you know.

Mark.

 

Hope you don't mind, but I sorta have the same question - about the noise. I changed the fluid in the rear, and still have the noise. I was leaning towards the axle bearings... any thoughts on that? My Z has 113000+ miles on it... original bearings. This is my first post in about 6 months, as I've moved, and consequently am engaged in this military action overseas. (I'm on the USS Roosevelt) This same problem as the topic started to occur on my Z right before I left to come out this way, so this is a problem I have to fix when I get back home. This is a rare occasion for me to be able to even get on this site, and was surprised by all the major changes from about 6 months ago... As always, thanks for any help, and sorry to jump in on your post, but it's the same problem I have...

KAM

 

Do you guys have disks in the rear? They can cause this too

 

Yes, I have discs in the rear, but how could that cause it? The discs probably have about 15000 on them, since I had done rear brakes. I just didn't have time to work on this since I was getting ready to leave, so putting in new fluid was as far as it got.

KAM

 

You know how if you get chalk on a perfect angle, you can make it squeel? It's almost the same thing. The diff. carrier is worn in a higher milage car where the axle pulls against it, as well as the axles and bearings are worn. Even if the bearings are replaced, the old axles are still chewed up (hence the name axle eaters that are applied to the chevy rear bearings on most rears). The axle pulls out a little further than designed to hit the pad while the angle is changed just enough (due to play) and you have your groan.

 

Haven't heard anyone mention this and as the saying goes....Been there and heard that....

Sounds like it could be carrier bearings in the rear end. Pull the diff cover off (since you might need to change the fluid anyway) and on either side of the the posi unit, get a bar or something and see if there is any up and down slack in the axles. If there is excesive, that means you need to replace the carrier bearings on each side. Oh, and if you are running a posi, PLEASE don't forget to squirt a bottle of posi additive in when you fill it up with reaer end oil.

Be cool....

 

What kind of difficulty are we talking about for the carrier bearings, if they are worn? I'm asking now so I have a good idea of what I need to do when I get back home and get into this...

KAM

 

If you did add the posi additive, it is the brakes making the noise. The carrier bearings are the least likely to be worn out. Normally, the axle bearings and axles are first to go. It's easy to check the axles, Just remove the cover and pin (one bolt on a 10 bolt) and c-clips. The calipers also have to be off. you will be able to tell where the bearings ride on the axle, and should be able to tell if they are too worn by running your finger over this area. If the bearings are blued (from heat) or the rollers look unevenly worn, they are bad (this also applies to the axle). The most difficult thing about the carrier bearings is pressing them on and off. When they are bad they make a grinding/rubbing sound when under load. Every diff Ive worked with, the carrier it's self gets worn befor the carrier bearings, esspecially the cone type posi rear carrier.

 

Thanks alot... as I recall, it was making the noise while under a load, as in turning. It wouldn't do it right away, but as the car was driven a few miles and things had time warm up, it would start. I did a bunch of figure-8's in my neighborhood and it would do it then. I tried to put it thru hell to find out what it was, but like I said, I just ran out of time. I should be home in about another month or so...

KAM