Woe is me. What started out as what I thought was going to be a simple repair has ended up with a nightmare noise. All went well in replacing the rear pads, shims, new rotors and new wheel studs. I put it all back together and did the test drive and hear a thunking/scraping noise from behind each wheel where the hub meets the axle. I checked and replaced the diff fluid because it was time anyway and that didn't help. Before I started this project, all was nice and queit back there. When I spin the tire by hand I can hear this nosie but can't localize it beyond where I've mentioned above. Both sides make this noise. One note, I was not able to fully seat the wheel studs and the do stick out about a 1/4" in the back, but are not touching anything there. Any thoughts or ideas where to go next? Is it OK to drive?

Thanks, I await your advice.
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'86 sedan with 351K miles with original engine and automatic transmission

You know that the rear rotors also double as the brake drum for the parking brake shoes. So if the rotors aren't in the right position as you said the studs aren't in all the way......there's your noise.

Why oh why don't they make 240s anymore :(
75 245(RIP) 80 244 226K, 87 245 172K

I'm so embarrased. I had a second set of eyes (my 24 yr old son) take a look and listen and we found that the heads of a couple of the wheel studs were rubbing on part of the parking brake unit. It turned out that I didn't have enough washers stacked in order to pull the studs flat on the backside of the wheel hub. Now all is well. My son is a wonderful boy and such a big help.

Thanks for looking.
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'86 sedan with 351K miles with original engine and automatic transmission

Not having ever done wheel studs, I would have thought that tightening the lug nuts to spec would be enough to seat the studs fully, no?

What is the procedure/torque spec for seating studs (must admit; haven't checked FAQ).
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David Armstrong - '86 240(350k km?), '93 940T(270k km), '89 240(parts source for others) near Toronto

It's good that you found this right away because the studs WOULD have pulled themselves deeper in time and allowed the wheels to loosen. Most manufacturers recommend against replacing any more than two damaged studs in any one hub.

BTW, more important to tell your son that he's a good kid than telling us. A parent's respect is on everybody's wish list.

You have to figure out how to seat the wheel studs.
I am suprised the wheels aren't flopping around,getting bent up already.
Proper wheel mounting is a critical but oft overlooked aspect of safe operation.
Start over and inspect for possible damage,doesn't sound good.
As someone mentioned cooling studs will shrink them a little.
Ice cube/dry ice?
God when are THEY going to quit stripping wheel studs with air guns?
Ken
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White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End