Over this summer's driving season I have started to notice a rapid clicking from the rear wheel area, just like a front CV joint clicking on a FWD car. On the outside wheel during a turn, so both sides are doing it. Doesn't do it when the car is cold in the morning or when driving straight but by the time I get to work or home it's pretty loud, turning into work's parking lot or my neighborhood. Even a slow turn into my driveway is a click..click...click. Sounds like a big rock in the tire but more rapid than once/rev.

I have a first gen goodwin BBK with smooth rotors. No rear sway bar. 10AE 3.90 torsen and axles with around 90-100k on them. Original '92 hubs/bearings all around with over 200k miles. 12.75" from axle center to bottom of fender. I'm hoping it's the rear wheel bearings and not the axles or the diff. I've started noticing it this summer as I've incrementally increased the boost.

Could the rear wheel bearings make a noise like this? :sad:

I originally thought it was coming from the front but after opening my door and hanging out of the car while turning, it's coming from the rear, and from the hub/wheel area, not underneath the car I don't think. But then again sounds do bounce around and could be coming from anywhere. The car still turns and backs up without any odd noises or pops from the diff.

Thoughts? I'm going out later today so I'll jack it up afterwards when it's warmed up & clicky and see if I notice any noises or slop when turning the wheel by hand.

 

With over 200k on those hubs, that's where I would put my money.

 

I would check the alignment of the transmission with the drive shaft.
A very similar noise had started in my car, and the noise went away as soon as I loosened the trans side of the PPF, raised the trans to the specified height and re-tightened the mounting bolts.
Also, checking the rear u-joint on the drive shaft for binding would not hurt.

I have found that the trans somehow "droops" down over time. I just keep an eye on that, and check it when I raise the car for oil changes and stuff.

 

Both hubs going out at the same time, producing identical noises seem kinda unlikely to me.

 

Simple things first - cheque the torque on the wheel nuts. Loose wheels produce a clicking sound, too.

 

I'm assuming you already checked the hubs and axles for play using the shake test?

 

What is this shake test?

I haven't done much yet besides grabbing the roll bar while the car is parked and shaking the car back and forth with no noise, and jacking up the left rear and trying to wiggle the wheel every 90° with no noise, but this was when the car was 'cold' and doesn't make noise anyway. Tonight after work I hope to try it when warm.

I may drive around the industrial park by work and try to find a steep loading ramp that hopefully will cause the click when I push the car across the ramp.

 

Check the break caliper pin isn't getting stuck.

 

Why don't you check the CV joints?

 

Shake test, like tech at any race. You grab the tire and yank it around in like every direction to feel for play and listen for clicks and clunks. You can do the same for for the axle by grabbing your shaft.

 

Calipers move around a bunch when I grab them. Bunch meaning...noticeable amount of wiggle.

Because I don't know how and I'm not smart enough to figure out how. I'm hoping its something obvious that I'm missing before digging down and disassembling the back side of the car. Knowing how slow i am, it may take a while to get back together.

Ahh ok, so the shake test is what it sounds like. (the one time I took my car to an autoX the guy didn't jack the car and shake the tires). I jacked up the car after it was hot and clicky, and used my limited strength to attempt to shake the wheel in all directions. There was no click. I did not try to get under the car and shake the axles, I will try that next.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

 

I had a motorcycle once upon a time that had its drive sprocket loosen to the point of engaging the locking tabs. It made the most mind boggling pops and rattles until I found it.
Maybe the axle nuts? It would at least be easy to check...

 

I feel like I'm being trolled....

How to Check the Constant Velocity Boots (CV Boots) on Your Car

also



can't watch the video because I'm at work, but I imagine it's useful information.

 

I'll check the axle nut torque. I can reach them thru the wheel hub as I'm not running centercaps.

haha well the boots are not torn. Hell, it all looks relatively new under there still because I try to keep my **** clean and only drive it when it's nice out. I'll watch the video to see how to tell if it's the actual ***** in the joint. Because yeah it does sound like a clicky CV on a FWD car when you turn a worn FWD CV to full lock. But obviously the miata joints aren't turning any additional amount when you turn the car so it's wierd.

 

Do you have ABS? Sensor mount bent and touching the ring teeth as the wheel loads up one of the hubs?

[/clutching at straws]