Rear end grinding...???

[B-Rob]

After having my front wheel bearings replaced, and the subsequent grinding from them erased, I have noticed a very slight grinding that seems to be coming from the rear end. It's not the "whine" that's common on the X, and I dont think its the rear bearings because its noticeable coming to a stop even on a straight stretch. I can throw the tranny in neutral while coming to a stop and it still does it. Any thoughts on what it might be?

04 XLS, 125,000 miles, 4X4, bought used so I doubt rear end oil has been ever changed, though I know its long overdue and probably my problem haha...

 

[dagreen1635]

I have the same problem on a 2003 X no 4x4, 148,000 miles. Curious what the response will be. I have noticed that my rear rotors are slightly rusted and really rough about a quarter inch in from the outside of the rotor. I am wondering if my brake pads are not making contact correctly. I did change the rear end fluid (which is a pain in the butt and I will never attempt again) and added the thicker viscosity fluid as recommended by some on here. Did not help the problem.

 

[B-Rob]

I dont know if it would be the brakes either, on mine anyway, cause even if I coast to a stop without hitting the brake I still hear it. But who knows??

 

[Carguy3J]

Jack up the rear wheels off the ground, with the fronts "chocked". Make sure the e-brake is off.
Try and "shake", pull,etc... each of the rear wheels in all directions. If you have a bad rear wheel bearing, you'll know it. Any amount of "wobble", or play, is a sign of a bad rear wheel bearing.

 

[dagreen1635]

I actually thought the rear wheel bearings were the issue. The noise got so bad that I had the rear bearings replaced and while the bearing noise stopped I begin to hear the grind. The shop where I had it done told me it was possibly the rotor rubbing the sheild behind it. I took a pry bar and bent it back from the rotor and it did not fix it. I am hoping it is not internal in the rear end. I have 148,000 on it and I am planning a long road trip that I am thinking about renting a car for because I just dont trust it that far from home.

 

[RickM]

My rear bearings went out a couple months after I replaced the fronts.

Planned obsolescence, courtesy of FOMOCO.

 

[B-Rob]

Yea Im beginning to think it might be my rear bearings. I plan on checking them this weekend. Yay for more repairs haha