I just got finish replacing an axel on the passenger side rear of my GM 12 bolt and upon test driving you can hear a horrible rubbing sound that seems to only be rubbing in one spot, kinda a woosh whoosh sound that gets faster as vehicle speed increases. After removing the brake drum when I was doing the axel swap I noticed on the shoes did not stay flat against the backing like the other one did. Also I noticed that the bolts that hold the brake housing to the axel housing simply spin and seem to possibly be stripped. I was also foolish enough to trust my own natural torque wrench when I torqued down the brackets that go over the bearings in the differential. Not to mention I am missing a lug on the new axel.

The axel needed replacement from hitting a curb, hard, sideways and it was definately bent when I pulled it out. The wheel does not pitch like it used to.

What do you guys think is wrong with my rear-end? The brakes, or the differential? The sound seems to come from the passenger side rear wheel.

 

why don't you fix the shoes, fix the missing stud, and fix the stripped bolts. last 12 bolt i had apart didn't have any brackets holding the bearings in, neither did every 12 bolt i ever seen. as for the noise i think you'd be way ahead jacking the car up and taking a look where you think the noise is coming from.

 

It was the shoe, replaced the stud, and now it runs like a bat outta hell