Hi guys,

Which driveshaft component would be responsible for a high-pitched scraping sound that comes and goes, usually only under load, and most audibly under very light load? It also comes intermittently on deceleration in 1st (on my dirt road where I keep it in 1 or 2).

Also, which rear end bushings would contribute to the kind of wear that would make this noise?

Thanks!

Ari

Just another thought, Have you checked the Oil Level in your rear axle?
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

I checked the axle oil about a year ago, and I periodically check under the car for fluid drips. None near the rear axle, but I will pop out the screw plug and take a conclusive look. Thanks!

Ari

I would lean toward Center Bearing if the Axle fluids are good. No Suspension Bushings would cause the noise you describe. Not unless your torque rod bushing are so far gone that the Axle rotates enough to throw that center bearing out of whack.
You would hear clunking if the Torque Rods were that bad.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Sounds like your center support bearing for the driveshaft might be the source of your high pitched scraping noise under load. Does it get worse if you have additional weight in the back of the car? This changes the angle of the driveshaft and increases the loading on the center support. If so, then the center support bearing could be the culprit.

As for which bushings, I don't know much about 700's. Does it have trailing arm bushings? Those are the ones most frequently causing problems with driveline alignment issues, saggy rears, and clunky noises coming from the back end of the car on the 200 series cars... My TAB's were shot and I didn't realize it until I replaced the rear end in my car. The new rear had some fresh TAB's installed in it when I got it, and the difference in the ride quality and also the stance of the car was quite dramatic.

billy242
1980 242DL with lots of GT and IPD stuff