Hi, My '98 2WD just started a brake drum noise on the RHS rear axle. At first I thought a brake had come apart in the drum. Put her on jack stands and found that it looks like one drum is scrapping, rubbing on the backing plate.
Everything felt good though, little end play, just enough to say there was some end play.
Very intermittent, put it back together and drove it to Town and all was OK, than it started again coming into the laneway.
Do you thing it is the outer axle bearing or something in the LS differential. I'd tackle the outer bearing but not differential troubles.
Only has about 70,000 miles, 4.6 engine, but does tow HEAVY loads
Thanks.

 

if its making contact all the way around the backing plate, its time to tear apart the diff. and solve your end play problem. if its only rubbing in one area (e.g.: top, bottom, front, back) then its time for bearing replacement and seals. but before you do that, have you checked to see if the backing plate is loose or bent? hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the direction. Backing plate seems OK, I'm going to take the cover plate off and have a look, time to change the fluid anyway.