Yes, I did have the drums off last week and did not see anything obvious
that would be making a noise.  The trailing shoe did have some movement up
and down (I think it's supposed to to center inside the drum) but both shoes
were attached properly to the backing plate. All of the springs seem to be
in the proper places, nothing detached.  I certainly can take it apart again
and look closer.  If it was brakes, why would a load make a difference? No
noise when up on the rack if you recall from my first message--does that
make sense to you?  I thought there might be some correlation with braking
and the noise but I cannot say for certain as it did not seem to be
consistent. Even the mechanic did not not know for sure what was causing the
noise, but at least was  honest about it. They have 2.5hrs into at at this
point.  Let's see what other people have to say, but so far it still remains
a mystery. I can say the noise comes and goes, which makes me wonder about
bearings. I would think that would be a steady noise, whereas if it was in
the brakes it could possibly come and go, but then there is the load issue.
Why no noise when not under load?

Troy

> On 9/9/09, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
>> Hi folks:
>>
>> I have been hearing a scraping, clunking sound, from the rear end
>> (passenger
>> side) on my 89 westy vanagon.
>
> .......
>
>> I had recently done
>> my brakes (about three months ago at least) and thought something inside
>> the
>> drum may be scraping, but all of the springs are brand-new, shoes, and
>> drum
>> itself. The shoes are firmly attached to the backing plate, everything
>> looks
>> fine to me. Now, the mechanic is thinking it may be wheel bearings. So,
>> for
>> anyone who's had wheel bearings go out, what kind of a sound do they
>> make?
>
> ....
>> So, anyone care to take a stab at what the sound may be? It does occur on
>> acceleration and deceleration and increases in frequency with tire
>> rotation.
>> It seems to get worse braking, but I may be imagining that. It would take
>> a
>> lot more testing to confirm.
>>
>> Troy
>
>
> Have you taken the drums off since hearing the noise?
>
> Not like ya wanna after all the work you did, but really doesn't take
> much time as you know.
>
> Take it out of gear, and apply only the hand brake at slow speeds when
> safe. See if sound increases. Might be a loose spring or ? rubbing.
>
> I have read that rear wheel bearing make more of a rumbling sound.
>
> From Neil N. >>