Triumph Repair: 76 Spitfire diff noise, trunnion bearings, axle bearings

Question
We have a '76 Spitfire at the shop that has a clicking noise in the rear of the car when cruising, coasting & swerving one way at road speed. Noise goes away under acceleration & swerving the other way. Have replaced pinion bearings & seal, also carrier bearings & set back lash & pinion preload. Have had both axle shafts out & u-joint are OK. Noise seems to be wheel speed & not drive shaft speed. Has had new rear brakes, drums, leaf spring & shocks. Noise has been getting steadely worse over past 4 year with low miles put on yearly. Did notice some play in side gears (between carrier & gears). I don't have the tool to remove axle bearings but found a supplier who has one for $500.00 . I would like to know if the noise is in the axle bearings before I spend that kind of money.

Answer
Sean,

Where is your shop located?

Which way does it make noise?  Right or left?  Or don't you know?

Which "axle bearings" are you contemplating replacing?  The rear trunnion bearings?  The hub puller is $100 or so from most sources, both in the US and the UK.  If you can't find a good supplier let me know, I'll be happy to let you have mine for $500.

Have you made sure it's not something simple like the emergency brake cable making contact with the driveline?  

And I'm not sure how you're differentiating between wheel speed and drive shaft speed as unless you physically unhook the driveshaft the wheels and driveshaft WILL turn at the same relative speed.  You can eliminate gear noise, not driveshaft noise.

Typically a clicking noise is the u-joints, as, if one is failing (loose OR binding) it will make a noise with each revolution.  Otherwise look for something drooping/dragging against the driveline.

And have you made sure ALL lugnuts are tight?  That will also give a clicking noise.


Cheers,

Jim