QuestionI get a load thumping or banging sound from the rear end when the brakes are applied at very low speed.
Checked shoes and drums and all seems OK.
Any ideas?
Answer And you don't get this sound at higher speeds? First you need to see if it is coming from the wheel. Get someone to ride in the back and listen out both sides as you make the noise. If it's just one side, then it needs a thorough going over. Check that the hardware is all there and functioning smoothly, that the wheel cylinder is working OK, that the emergency brake cable isn't binding or stuck. Tap the drum with a hammer while holding it loosely by the hole in the center; it should ring like a bell. If it makes a dull or clanking sound the drum may be cracked, something that you sometimes can't see without looking real hard. Rotate the wheel bearing assembly with your fingers, feeling for any roughness or looseness. If you find any, replace it, they're not too expensive and easy to do. Also look at the bushings that attach the rear axle assembly and the shocks. If there is looseness in the bushings of the suspension or shocks, they need to be fixed. Look at the shock and make sure it is not leaking; if it is replace it. Lastly, if you don't find any faults, then swap the wheels left for right and drive it again. If the noise moves to the other side, then either the wheel or tire is damaged and needs to be fixed or replaced.
If the noise is on both sides, then I would suspect that the suspension bushings or shocks are at fault, although the tires could be, as well. A good front-end shop can check the alignment and condition of the suspension, check the tires for out-of-round, etc. While you're under there, make sure there is nothing hanging down, like exhaust, that could be making the noise when shifted forward by the braking forces. Could even be a loose mudflap.
