I have an 83 GL wagon, And it has been making this creaking sound coming from the rear passenger side wheel. It started... or at least I noticed it first when I brought home a lot of weight (2 kegs) in the back. IT was louder with more weight. It creaks with every turn of the wheel. Now it is louder and there every time I drive. People tell me that a wheel bearing would sound more grinding sounding. Could it possibly be the rear CV? It doesn't CLACK like the fronts do when they go out... But I dont know. The same sound was there before and after doing the rear shoes so I have ruled the brakes out of the noise making.

Sound like anything anyone else has dealt with???

Check the castle nut; like on the front it should be torqued to 145 ft-lbs (or more). If it loosens, it will sound like that or a like a faulty bearing.

Check the bearings anyway. I've had one grind, one hum, one sound like rubbing, and another that made no noise at all until it suddenly started coming apart.

Creaking is a dry bearing usually. The rear DOJ's would not make a noise like that. You can remove the rear axles if you want to make sure - only takes 5 minuets or so to remove each one (assuming they aren't rust welded on).

 

GD

whats the castle nut????

 

 

I'll have to look at the wheel bearing as well.... What happens if one goes bad????

I'm gonna ditto the castle nut, that is the big nut on the end of the stub, its got those cut outs to allow for a cotter pin, hence "castle" nut, mine on the front loosens up, i need a cotter pin bad, but it makes that sound when she's loose

Hmmm.... I have a cotter pin in it but maybe I need to tighten that thing down some. Time to go get out the torque wrench. I've got my fingers crossed

sweet! no more creaky creaky.... Thanks a bunch!

 

hehe, mine got loose and scared the f*ck out of me because it sounded like when you stretch a balloon... i got a very large socket (dont remember the size) and a long ratchet and a cheater pipe and stood my fat 220lb rump roast and jumped till it wouldnt tighten anymore, stuck the pin through and went on my merry way...