My car is a 1980 245. The last few days, I have heard an intermittent noise coming from (I'm 90% sure here) the left rear of the car. It sounds like thunder - like a grinding rotor. It comes and goes in spurts of around 5 seconds regardless of speed, and I hear it when accelerating or coasting. However, the sound goes away during cornering, or usually when I hit a good bump. My rear rotors and pads are good, and U joints are under a year old. Rear diff fluid is full, too. Seriously, this is loud - it sounds like you would expect a dragging muffler to sound. I know my rear bearings are a little long in the tooth, but I always heard that when the bearings start to go, you hear it when cornering first, and as a whining noise - not thunder. Is the noise I'm hearing totally atypical for a wheel bearing problem? Is it more likely in the differential, or something else entirely? Also, over the last few days its gotten worse - louder, and sticking around for longer (go figure). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jorge

Before you dive into bearing job............make sure your brake caliper or e-brake isn't hanging up. A piston may not be releasing properly, which could cause the same sound.

Easy to check. Lift and support corner where sound is (?). Remove wheel.
Using adjustable plyers (plumbers plyers), squeeze pads back to caliper (away from rotor). Oh, give the brake fluid reservoir cap a twist or two (lets air out)...tighten when finished. If the pad(s) don't move that piston(s) is seized. Some times you can free them. I've given up on that and will replace both sides with new ones. I have tried reconditioned ones.......I now buy new. Too many hassels without creating them.

Check e-brake by applying e-brake and try to turn wheel. Listen for grinding sound(s).

Hope this helps.


Al
--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in hibernation; 89, 245 DL, 240K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

My front pads stuck in their guides and caused nearly identical
symptoms - the pistons might not be stuck. Remove the brake pads
and file their back plates down if they sit too tightly in their
guides (not too much, because that will cause vibration and
squealing). Lube the guides and pins with high-temp silicone
grease, but don't get any on the rotor or braking surfaces of the
pads. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. You might also
want to pop off the rotors and try lubing and cleaning the hand brake
mechanisms.


-b.

Next time see what change results from stepping of the brakes a bit. You describe what I would guess is the sound of a rear wheel bearing going out.

Side-specific. Different in accelerate - coast - deccelerate - braking.

Find the newest 240 in a boneyard, and get the left half-shaft with everything on it. Be careful about mangling the seals, they are a PITA to replace.

It's a rather quick DIY job. Unless the emergency brake shoes have become rusted onto something. BTW - note carefully the way the emergency brake parts all fit together. How they fit looks illogical aat first, can delay reassembly.

Check the FAQs.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

A new bearing kit is about $65 USD. Requires a deep throated press to remove and reinstall the bearing. If you go this route, don't forget to put the new seal on before you press on the bearing. 'tis a true pain to have to do it twice, and you don't even have to ask me how I know...