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Been having some issues with the rear end in my 1973 LTD Country Squire. I realize it's not quite a Galaxie, but this is the closest forum I could find. The car is stock and has the conventional 2.75 rear end, C6 Auto Trans, and 460 Engine. The car is well maintained and in good mechanical condition, besides the current problem I'm having. I'm currently on a road trip and the car made it the first day (400 miles) without problems.
When we left the following morning, and got out onto the highway, I started to experience an inconsistent clunking, and what felt like a slight drag from the rear end. After about a quarter mile, it became much worse and started screeching, and I think locking up the left rear wheel intermittently. I pulled over immediately, and noticed what smelled like burning brakes from the left rear wheel. Got under the car and actually saw a few embers coming out of the brake drum!
I had just done some brake work and adjusted the brakes before we left, so I assumed that perhaps the brake was just dragging.
I backed off the adjuster significantly, let the brake cool down for a while, and got back on the road, same problem. Jacked the car up, took the drum off and inspected everything. Everything seemed normal, shoes were fine, no glazing on the drum. So I had the car towed to a friend's house nearby, where I've been trying to diagnose the problem for the past few days. We thought perhaps the wheel cylinder was not releasing pressure. Took everything apart, replaced the wheel cylinder, replaced all the springs and hardware for good measure. Bled all 4 brakes. Same problem. Checked the driveshaft and U-joints, everything seemed fine there.
Jacked up the rear end and had my friend sit in the driver's seat. Started the car and shifted to drive. At medium speeds there is a noticeable clunk and left-downward movement in the left rear wheel somewhat inconsistently, but seemingly every 3 or 4 revolutions. Right side wheel is smooth with no problems. Could there be a chipped tooth in the differential? Wheel bearing problems? I have a shop, lift, etc. at my house 400 miles away. If only I could get the car there somehow...
Not really sure what to check next, I can't afford to take the car to a local mechanic to have them take the axle apart. I could easily see that costing thousands of dollars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
When we left the following morning, and got out onto the highway, I started to experience an inconsistent clunking, and what felt like a slight drag from the rear end. After about a quarter mile, it became much worse and started screeching, and I think locking up the left rear wheel intermittently. I pulled over immediately, and noticed what smelled like burning brakes from the left rear wheel. Got under the car and actually saw a few embers coming out of the brake drum!
I backed off the adjuster significantly, let the brake cool down for a while, and got back on the road, same problem. Jacked the car up, took the drum off and inspected everything. Everything seemed normal, shoes were fine, no glazing on the drum. So I had the car towed to a friend's house nearby, where I've been trying to diagnose the problem for the past few days. We thought perhaps the wheel cylinder was not releasing pressure. Took everything apart, replaced the wheel cylinder, replaced all the springs and hardware for good measure. Bled all 4 brakes. Same problem. Checked the driveshaft and U-joints, everything seemed fine there.
Jacked up the rear end and had my friend sit in the driver's seat. Started the car and shifted to drive. At medium speeds there is a noticeable clunk and left-downward movement in the left rear wheel somewhat inconsistently, but seemingly every 3 or 4 revolutions. Right side wheel is smooth with no problems. Could there be a chipped tooth in the differential? Wheel bearing problems? I have a shop, lift, etc. at my house 400 miles away. If only I could get the car there somehow...
Not really sure what to check next, I can't afford to take the car to a local mechanic to have them take the axle apart. I could easily see that costing thousands of dollars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.