I have a 1940 Ford coup with a 53 Merc flathead and a 1937 top shift 3speed. I just finished the car and took it for a test drive. At 40mph it develops a very loud "growl" in I think the trans. If I pop it out of gear and let off on the gas the noise continues until I slow down to 20. The trans shifts fine and does not pop out of gear. I put a syncro and small parts kit in the trans and I think a rear bearing. could the rear end be making the noise? Any ideas before I pull the trans.
trans noise, growl
- Thread starter gsbrealty
- Start date
alanwoodieman
Well-known member
as a test put some lucas oil modifier in the rear axle and see if any changes occur
I changed the fluid and put in additive. The noise was there after driving 2 miles but now it is all the time. As soon as I get into 3rd gear at 35 mph it starts. the trans shifts fine and if I pop it out gear it makes no difference and if the clutch is in make no difference. I put the car up on jack stands and ran it in third gear and the noise is louder at the right rear wheel but its hard to tell with the wheels spinning. Could a bad wheel bearing give me a loud growl at 35. it is so bad that it sounds like something is going to explode any minute.
A bad wheel bearing could make a loud growly noise. If it is, you can mostly here it when you spin the wheels with the brakes backed off.
With a torque tube setup, rear end noise does echo up the torque tube and make the trans sound suspect.
You say it sounds like it's going to explode. This is the time to find it with your eyes! Running it as you are could do more damage!
Pull the drums, look at the bearings and races, if there good, move further in. Pop the rear spring off and pull left hand axle tube. This will allow you to slide the axles and diff out. Inspect the bearings and crown and pinion.
I spec it'll be fairly obvious what's wrong.
Martin.
With a torque tube setup, rear end noise does echo up the torque tube and make the trans sound suspect.
You say it sounds like it's going to explode. This is the time to find it with your eyes! Running it as you are could do more damage!
Pull the drums, look at the bearings and races, if there good, move further in. Pop the rear spring off and pull left hand axle tube. This will allow you to slide the axles and diff out. Inspect the bearings and crown and pinion.
I spec it'll be fairly obvious what's wrong.
Martin.
supereal
Well-known member
Growling noises are most often a failing bearing. If the noise rises and falls with engine speed, suspect the main input bearing. If it appears only when in gear and moving, it is likely the transmission output bearing. Many replacement bearings have a metal shield on both sides. The one that faces the inside of the transmission should be removed to allow better lubrication, or it can run dry and make noise.
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
So as not to lead to any confusion, I believe you meant to say "rear drive shaft spline coupler"......no rear U-joints on a torque tube rear end. DD
Mart
Well-known member
My roadster sometimes makes a funny noise which changes with road speed, rather than engine speed. I suspect it might be something to with the bearing at the front of the driveshaft. I haven't investigated yet, so I can't confirm if that is what it is. It seems worse when the weather is cold.
I once used an allen bolt in the rear coupler, and it broke and the head rubbed on the inside of the torque tube. That made a really annoying squeaking noise. I didn't know what it was that was making the noise and imagined it was something much worse than the
broken pin/bolt.
A friends pickup made a terrible noise, so bad that we had to get his pickup recovered on a rollback. On inspection, the only thing that we thought could have caused the noise was the brass synchro insert (pre 39 type synchros) had broken free and rotating in the synchro hub.
From experience, a bad wheel bearing can be diagnosed by listening to whether it gets louder when turning left or right. If louder when turning left, it's the one on the right and vice-versa. I don't know if this works on early fords, but it is kind of universal in other stuff.
Mart.
I once used an allen bolt in the rear coupler, and it broke and the head rubbed on the inside of the torque tube. That made a really annoying squeaking noise. I didn't know what it was that was making the noise and imagined it was something much worse than the
broken pin/bolt.
A friends pickup made a terrible noise, so bad that we had to get his pickup recovered on a rollback. On inspection, the only thing that we thought could have caused the noise was the brass synchro insert (pre 39 type synchros) had broken free and rotating in the synchro hub.
From experience, a bad wheel bearing can be diagnosed by listening to whether it gets louder when turning left or right. If louder when turning left, it's the one on the right and vice-versa. I don't know if this works on early fords, but it is kind of universal in other stuff.
Mart.
Last edited:
1937pickup
Well-known member
My 37 pickup makes a clicking noise above 20 MPH-I have never been able to figure it out. I have not checked rear end or center bearing. I am at the point it will have to fail totally for me to figure it out, hey it may never fail-it is a Ford.
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
That's kind'a funny...do a quick search. LOTS of failed Fords to choose from. DD
