I had brand new joints fail after only a few hundred miles. They were
made in a country whose name cannot be associated with inferior parts
on this list. Check yours. The brand name was (get this) OEM. Just
because it is new doesn't mean it's any good.

Brake shoes can drive you crazy if not properly adjusted. You should
check that too. It's probably going to be one of the two. In my case,
I had loosely adjusted shoes falling against the backing plates. It
took months for my shop, me and the tire store to determine that
problem.

Jim

On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 6:18 PM, Jim Davis <SyncroHead@aol.com> wrote:
> Hi friends!
>
> My 1984 Westy is making a new noise. �I've searched the archives but
> haven't found an answer and am hoping for some help here.
>
> I have a mild "thumping" noise that seems to be coming from the right/rear
> wheel area. The noise is sort of a low pitch thumping, not a clicking or a
> clacking. �Sounds sort as if something is rubbing.
>
>
> The noise frequency moves up and down with vehicle speed.
>
> It makes the noise only when I accelerate or have reasonable power
> applied. In other words, when the wheel/axle is under �load. Otherwise when I'm at
> a steady speed on level ground there is no �noise.
>
> Axles/CVs: The entire axle/CV joint assemblies on both sides are new.
> They were not the most expensive I found, but still, being modestly priced, I
> wouldn't expect this from brand new joints. I've checked the joints bolts
> and confirmed they're all tight.
>
> Brakes: �When I replaced the axles I also did the brakes, so there are
> turned drums, new shoes, and new wheel cylinders. Does not sound like a
> shushing �or scraping noise like brakes can sometimes make.
>
> Wheels/Tires: �Tires are new, but I suppose could be out of balance, �but I
> suspect I'd feel this as a vibration, not hear it as a noise.
>
>
>
> This van is being restored and previously only towed it, so I don't know if
> �the noise would have been there before the recent work. Upon the first
> couple �test drives, there was no thumping sound but it started to appear after
> about 15 �miles.
>
>
> One thing I don't know about is the bearings between the CV �joint and the
> brake hub. �Over many years, I've yet to have an issue �or even look at
> these in any of my vans. Could this be the source of the �noise?
>
> What should I suspect is making this noise?
>
> Jim Davis
>