Topic: Rear Wheel Noise During Reverse (Backing up)
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Former Member
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North Little Rock, AR - USA
Joined: 3/25/2011
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1982 White Original Crossfire
Red Leather interior
Beautiful Condition
I am experiencing a "rubbing" type noise during reverse or moving in a back direction. I don't hear it going forward or during normal driving. It seems to be a little more obvious when I turn to the left or right during backing up.
1982 automatic. Thanks for any guidance.
Respectfully,
Chris Abrams
C3 is All You Need
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Can you tell if it is only on one particular side?
Is it a metallic rub/grind noise, or something different?
My first thought is the parking brake shoe(s) loose on one side. The retainers and spring can and do break, so it may be allowing one of the shoes to contact the drum when reversing only.
Could be the tire/rim moving enough for the tire to rub on the parking brake cable bracket on the trailing arm, or even on the rear spring. If the tire/rim is moving that much, it could indicate a bad spindle bearing, which usually makes noises forward, also. It could also indicate a bad front trailing arm bushing.....hard to say.
Noises are next to impossible to diagnose without actually hearing them. We can only throw out ideas of what it might be....
Is it a metallic rub/grind noise, or something different?
My first thought is the parking brake shoe(s) loose on one side. The retainers and spring can and do break, so it may be allowing one of the shoes to contact the drum when reversing only.
Could be the tire/rim moving enough for the tire to rub on the parking brake cable bracket on the trailing arm, or even on the rear spring. If the tire/rim is moving that much, it could indicate a bad spindle bearing, which usually makes noises forward, also. It could also indicate a bad front trailing arm bushing.....hard to say.
Noises are next to impossible to diagnose without actually hearing them. We can only throw out ideas of what it might be....

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Former Member
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North Little Rock, AR - USA
Joined: 3/25/2011
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1982 White Original Crossfire
Red Leather interior
Beautiful Condition
Thanks for your reply. My Vette is in winter storage, so when spring arrives, I will get some better detail for you and post. I really appreciate the help here! I actually am privileged to have an excellent Vette specialist here in Little Rock and he has remedied the parking brake, as well as changing out some of the wheel components. The noise I was hearing improved, or so I thought, but before I put it up, after my last long drive, the noise returned.
I will get back with you as soon as I take it out again. Happy New Year!
Respectfully,
Chris Abrams
C3 is All You Need
Hi,
Happy and Safe New Year.
My 82 made a grinding noise only backing up. I swapped the back tires and it went away.
I have not looked into it further. It started immediately after having new tires put on about
2 years ago. I swap the front tires every summer. Tread wear is very even on the rears.
Give that a try. Cheap fix for me.
Keith
Happy and Safe New Year.
My 82 made a grinding noise only backing up. I swapped the back tires and it went away.
I have not looked into it further. It started immediately after having new tires put on about
2 years ago. I swap the front tires every summer. Tread wear is very even on the rears.
Give that a try. Cheap fix for me.
Keith

Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody
Sounds to me like the clutches in your positraction rear end are binding. Try changing the oil in the differential. Be sure to use the correct oil and additive. Cheap fix and it might correct the problem.
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My first thought is the parking brake shoe(s) loose on one side. The retainers and spring can and do break, so it may be allowing one of the shoes to contact the drum when reversing only.
A broken parking brake spring on my Vette resulted in exactly the same symptoms you described.
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Rochester, NY - USA
Joined: 6/12/2012
Posts: 95
Vette(s): 1980 L- 82 fully restored and upgraded.
OH6A said: Sounds to me like the clutches in your positraction rear end are binding. Try changing the oil in the differential. Be sure to use the correct oil and additive. Cheap fix and it might correct the problem.
Ditto ,,, and for nothing else a good maintenance item
1980 , ZZ430 , 3.92 rear , 700R4 2400 stall NEW EZ EFI
OH6A said: Sounds to me like the clutches in your positraction rear end are binding. Try changing the oil in the differential. Be sure to use the correct oil and additive. Cheap fix and it might correct the problem.
Wouldn't they do that going forward too?
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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