Strange noise from the rear wheels
 

I'm hearing a stange noise coming from at least the right rear of my GXL when driving (it may also be coming from the left, but I'm not sure). I assume there is something wrong with the rear brakes. The noise sounds like a flat tire, and like a flat tire it's intermittent and increases with speed. It's not a flat since the rear tires are fine and fully inflated, and the noise changes pitch when I press the brakes. It's probably related to the brakes. My best guesses are:

a) A (really) warped rotor
b) Incorrectly installed pads

The P.O. said the rear rotors are Brembo OEM type and the pads are Hawks. I'm going to e-mail him and ask for some more detail, like how long ago the pads/rotors were changed and by whom. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Does it make the noise while you're braking? Or when you're decelerating without braking?

Yes, and yes. The noise is like a flat tire- you can hear it when the car is moving, and the frequency of the noise increases with speed. The weird thing is that the noise changes pitch when I depress the brake pedal.

any vibrations?

Very slight vibration in the brake pedal when braking, but otherwise, no vibrations.

Wheel bearing.

Do both :)

Be sure to inspect the rotors when taking it apart though as its *possible* that its something else.......but more then likely its the bearings.

in certain gears? All gears (inc. reverse)?

Not sure. I didn't feel any when reversing, but I wasn't going very fast, either. The times I felt vibrations were at around 20-40mph in around town traffic.

Come to think of it, ClassicAuto may be right, since the car is braking OK. I'm going to check the rear brake assemblies tomorrow just in case, provided it doesn't rain.

I'm sure this doesn't need to be said but just in case: Check first buy later. I learned that the hard way.

especially with the rear since those bearings need to be poressed out of the hub and spindle.

Great, replacing rear wheel bearings. This sounds like a fun job...

Bearings!! Yay fun!!

You can get a special bearing puller/installer that allows you to do it with rear spindles in place. They can be spendy, but for me...its worth it since they work on MANY other cars (your friends will thank you).

check your axles out too while your back there. I just encountered this same issue on the right rear of my GXL... some vibration during driving/braking accompanied by a thrumming noise from the rear of the car. I inspected the rear and I noticed that the Right rear outer boot on my axle has aparently split open and is now splattering grease all over as I drive... this could be a result of some other issue but... I bought a used axle yesterday just in case. So DJ...you have a tool to pull that bearing do ya.... :D

Axles, too? Boy, did I pick a winner... :40: Well, tomorrow I'm going to get my FC's oil and belts changed (would do it myself if it wasn't going to rain all this week. I hate not having a garage). When it goes up on the lift, I'll take a look and see what I can find back there.

I couldn't get the car up on the lift today or check out the rear brake assembiles due to the rain, but the noise now only occurs during braking. There's no vibrations, either.