Brake-like scraping noise--from driveshaft?!

[monteburns]

My 94 has developed a brake wear indicator sound that sounds like its coming from the front drive shaft. In fact, its so similar, I thought it was the brakes. I was shocked when I pulled all the wheels and found nice fat brake pads. The Cruiser drives normal, no vibration, grrrrr/rumbly sounds, no binding, etc. I greased the drive shafts and that seemed to make it a bit more quiet, but not much. Maybe my imagination.

Characteristics:

• Metallic sound--scrape-scrape-scrape
• Particularly loud when just starting out.
• Sounds the same in forward and reverse.
• Very noticeable at low speeds, even super slow speeds, but non-existent when getting up above 20 mph.
• You can hear it when you're just barely letting your foot off the brake enough that the cruiser starts to move.
• Makes the noise whether you press the brake or not.
• Sounds like its coming from the front driveshaft location.

Thanks for your help!

[reffug]

Sounds like something in the DS is worn to the point of needing to be replaced.

If you greased it and it got better but then came back its probably time to rebuild the shaft.

[monteburns]

What is involved with a rebuild? Simply replacing the U-joints, or are there other things to do as well?
What does it cost?

[CodyRx7]

Did you remove the rear resonator on your exhaust?

After I did, and didn't realize the mount near the center of the exhaust was on its way out - this allowed the stock muffler to just make contact with the rear driveshaft.

Sounded exactly like sticking brakes...or pads just on the wear indicator.

It drove me crazy so I pulled all the wheels to check the pads and when I had it up in the air I found the muffler touching the rear DS.

I've since replaced the stock muffler and added a new hanger out back.

[easyG]

X2 on what CodyRx7 said. I had the same thing happen when I broke that mount wheeling, muffler gets banged by the rear drive shaft. I noticed it mostly when I was turning.

[monteburns]

Ok, on a thorough visual inspection, I found nothing touching either drive shaft. I did notice, however, that it appears that diff fluid is leaking out where the front drive shaft connects to the diff. Its not a big leak, but a leak nonetheless.
This is where the scrape sound appears to be coming from. The ring on the front drive shaft is on tight as well.

[monteburns]

Any ideas on the above leak question?

[dixie_cragger]

I had a similar noise on my truck and it went away with a new DC Slee shaft. I would pull off the front DS and see if the noise goes away. It's super easy (8 bolts and half a banana job) but it helps to run 2wd with a CDL switch!

[reffug]

definately pull the DS and lock you CDL.

if the noise goes away then you have isolated the problem.

then either order the parts from Cdan to rebuild or take it to a reputable DS shop.

[lathamb]

You might want to also check the little metal cover that is over the inspection hole on the brake calipers. One of mine got bent up just a little and made a very similar sounding noise. You might be able to see a line of wear on the inside of one of your rims.