"W. Silva" wrote:
>
> We are supposed to be leaving for MD in the morning, doesn't look like it's
> going to happen.  We have been experiencing a banging noise in what we
> thought was the left rear wheel off and on for about 6 months.  We have had
> the rear brake drum turned because it was a little out of round and the
> noise went away only to come back a month later - worse.
> Out of desperation last Friday we ordered a complete axle shaft to be
> shipped second day from Calif.  Received it today, the mechanic took the old
> one out and said he couldn't find anything wrong with it and that's probably
> a good thing because the fools send the wrong side, they sent the right
> side.  He is putting it back together and pulling the right side just to
> check.  I hope he finds it there because that only leaves the wheel bearings
> and that's a MAJOR job and it wouldn't be ready in time.  I don't know what
> else to check, any ideas?  It sounds like someone hitting the wheel hub with
> a hammer, is less obvious at high speeds, gets louder as you slow down to a
> stop (without touching the brakes) then softer when you apply the gas (I
> guess when there is torque on the shaft).  Applying the brakes does not
> change the noise in any way.  If you have any insight on this one, please
> let us know.

Sounds like it could be ring and pinion gears inside the tranny.
A chip in the big ring gear will make a lot of noise when you
decelerate. The noise could be transmitting to the brake drum.

Just a thought.

Grant