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I know I have a problem but .....

Posted By : Alan Madin, 18-Feb-2007, 02:37pm

I know there is a problem with my rear nearside drive shaft/brakes/hub but not quite sure how.
It started as an intermittent rubbung/grinding noise from the nearside rear as if the brakes were stuck on or rubbing. I took brake drum off and generally cleaned and greased bits up which seemed to cure it for a day or two.
It came back again mostly at low speeds, looked again and became concerned that drum does not appear to fit flush all the way back to the back plate. It was OK at bottom but brake pads were clearly visible at top as there is about 1/5 inch gap between drum and brakes back plated. At first thought the drum might be non standards but it seem standard.
I cleaned up, readjusted brakes and refitted drum, wheel turned smoothly but drum fit still not perfect, anyway tried driving and noise had gone, braking seemed OK.

Now rubbing/grinding noise is back and is almost continual. Turning wheel by hand is difficult as brakes are continually rubbing. The brake drum is obviously not fitting flush as pads are clearly visible at top again. On pulling the vertical link forward it is possible to move the rear plate etc forward on the drive shaft towards the hub. Hub seems solid on the driveshaft but looking behind hub bearing housing there is a clear inch or two of drive shaft visible before the flinger. The hub nut does seem to only have one/two clear threads showing suggesting it isn't on as far as it should be. However it appears well tight (can't get it to slacken let alone tighten more).

So I know I have a problem but not sure how to rectify it. Should there be movement of the backplate along the driveshaft when pulling on the vertical link? Why is there the visible space between the hub housing and the flinger? And what do I do about it?
Removing hub and refitting seems logical but what else could it be? And why would this happen?
Al M

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