On top of the cold, rotten weather, my car decided to have starter problems today, but most of all, a weird grinding from the rear axle.

It doesn't make noise all the time, just occasionally, usually only when cold and when driving on a surface tilted to the right.

Finally, despite the snow and ice, I jacked up the rear of the car and was surprised to find a fair amount of endplay in the left rear axle shaft! What's the deal with this? I always get these weird problems. Or is this a bearing problem?

The funny thing is that it has been doing this for a while, but it goes away after a few minutes. On the highway and even in city traffic when warm, there are no problems.

When I try to move the tire at 12 and 6, I get a noise like it is a little loose. I guess something's scraping. Probably the E-brake shoes inside the rear disc.

Suggestions? I don't have an extra buck to blow on some stupid problem right now.