I'm pretty sure that the drivers side axle on my T/A is bent. the wheel has a slight wobble,first pointed out by a friend,then I saw for myself by opening the door and sticking my head out to see. (don't try this at home kids!) I've ruled out a rolled tire or warped rim, because I can hear the brake rotor rubbing as the wheel turns.

THIS SUCKS!!! so....... I have to replace the axle(s),right? how do I know the other one is perfectly straight? should I buy new axles from a dealer or can I get these ones straightened?
I would like to upgrade,but I really don't need to for my powerhouse 305,cheapest fix will work for me! nothing says "whooptie" like a wobbling wheel,....god damn.

 

You need to find one in that junkyard you keep watch on Dog, Should be OK to just pull an axle out of the same type car others will fit but to avoid the hassle of measuring and all that. Some junkyards don't sell incomplete rear ends and that will suck. My local yard charges $25 for one axle. Be sure to check where to bearing rides the axle, make sure it's not pitted or severly worn. Should be an easy job.

 

Could be a warped drum/rotor making that noise. Jack it up and spin both rear wheels. Note which one spins good and which one wobbles. Then switch the tires arount(left to right and right to left) and spin them again. Check to see if the same wheel is wobbling or if the same side(axle) is wobbling. It could be something as simple as a bad tire.
A good junkyard will check for axle straightness before they remove it from the car--why would they take the time to remove a bad axle.

------------------
82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

[This message has been edited by 82camaro (edited June 03, 2001).]

 

replace,simple enough. I know for sure it's the axle. I was hoping there would be a means of straightening out the axle at a shop or some other crude means. I forgot how many splines those have, isn't it 27 spline...? junkyard or dealer,either way this has to be taken care of before all else! thanks

 

The spline count goes.

88 and under. 26 spline

89 no way of telling. Pull them and count.

90 up 28 spline.

 

I have 2 sets of 26 spline axles i am selling. How does $40 for a set sound? Email me if you are interested.

 

Found out today I have a bent/warped rear drum causing quite pronounced wheel wobble!

How did I find out? Here is the story:


Last fall I replaced the rear drums (originals were aluminum with steel inner liners) while doing a brake job because they were shot. I purchased a pair of cast iron drums from NAPA. Didn't want to pay the extra $$$ for the original aluminum ones that
came from the factory (IROC) because I have a disc rear end I plan to swap in sometime soon. I only got to drive the car a few hundred miles before putting it away for the winter.

Present Day: While driving at city street speeds (25 to 35 mph) I would here a squeeking noise coming from the rear end. When I pressed the brake pedal it would stop. Release the brake pedal it would come back.
Well today I decided to figure out where the hell this sound was actually coming from. I jacked up the rear end until the wheels were off the floor about 2 inches. I started up the car and put it into drive. I looked at the rear wheels while the car was in drive at idle. The driver side wheel was wobbling really bad. I was shocked at the amount of rounout! The first thing I do is stop the car and check the lug nuts....all tight. I thought to my self....'Oh great! The rim is bent or the axle is bent!' I pull off the wheel thinking something was caught between the rim and spacer/drum. Nothing. I check the passenger wheel and it rotates nice and smooth with almost no visible runout. I decide to pull off the passenger side wheel and swap drums. After swapping drums and reinstalling the wheels I perform the 'put the car in drive while its on the jackstands test' Well now the passenger side is wobbling like mad and the driver side is smooth and true. Prognossis: BENT DRUM! I am assuming the drum was warped/bent right out of the box. Pisser is I bought the drum about 9 months ago so I am pretty much stuck and have to throw it out. Oh well....shell out $25 to $30 to get another drum to get me by.

Bit long winded but I wanted to post my experience.

junkyarddog: Have you tried swapping the drums (if you have drums) just to be sure?

Mike



[This message has been edited by WECoyote (edited June 07, 2001).]

 

thanks cyote! no I have rotors,I swapped the rims w/ the rear on stands and the car in drive. so I've rule out the rims. I hope it's the rotor, I just installed the rear end two weeks ago,the axles were used but we "roll tested" those and they both looked fine. the rotor was loose when I took the rim off,and that seemed kind of strange,usually it takes some handling to break loose. I'll check it again because I was going to get a new axle,how would the rotor all of sudden become warped?

 

What's the deal with those aluminum drums? I went to get some drums at autozone and I saw the aluminum option, I was like WOW and then started thinking they were over twice as much as what kind of gain would I really get. Is there really a noticable ET thing? I heard of these alum drums but never thought they came on a thirdgen.

Learn somethin' new every day.

 

omega, $40 sounds good, it is the axle after all!! how do I email you?