loud clicking noise

[bobsusancart]

drivers side rear I think, loud clicking noise from axle area, small oil leak into brake housing, clicks going forward but not backward, if you coast forward, no noise, if you coast backward the noise returns. I'm guessing a bad rear wheel bearing, hope it's not more serious, any thoughts?

 

[HotRodCarts]

If the seal is leaking chances are good it's the wheel bearing making the noise.

 

[bobsusancart]

Glad to hear someone else confirm my suspicions, hope it's just that bearing. Thanks

 

[HotRodCarts]

No problem. Let us know what you find.

 

[bobsusancart]

'84 club car electric I finally got around to taking it apart, the outer wheel bearing seems OK, it's a sealed bearing and I can't really see anything wrong with it. It moves easily and doesn't wobble. When I look into the axle housing, I see another bearing, a big ball bearing type, (one that looks like it could make a lot of noise) looks like I'd have to remove the housing to get to it. I also measured from the oil seal to it and I think it's in the trans-axle and not in the housing. Could be a big headache to replace. There is some wear on the axle itself where the axle goes through that bearing, I'm guessing that if the bearing was good there wouldn't be wear there. I wonder if play there would cause the oil leak at the other end. I guess I could drain the oil and take it all apart, I'm not sure I want to because I don't know if that inner bearing is pressed in or if it can be removed easily. Be nice if I had an exploded diagram to see what I'm getting into. I don't want to have to take it to a shop as a basket case, I'd like to do it myself. Thanks again for any insight on this one.

 

[bobsusancart]

84 club car electric Pulled the axle out and used a 3/4 deep socket and long extension to reach in, the socket is about the same size as the axle, placed it into the bearing and it fit nicely, I turned it and I because there's no load it makes little noise. It does feel a little rough, after I pulled the socket out I wiped the oil off and there was metal on the rag, used a magnet to remove the metal. Real fine filings so I guess that bearing is shot. I was relieved that the metal was not aluminum. Now, how to get it out of there, as I said in last post I'm sure the axle housing has to come off after that I have no clue.

At least I'm getting a typing lesson.

 

[bobsusancart]

Typed it in twice, just trying to remove the second one.

 

[bobsusancart]

It wasn't that tough a job, I could replace the bearings on the passenger side (the oil seal one that side doesn't leak) and see if that stops the noise. More work.