There is this annoying grinding noise coming from the back of my 1993 Pontiac Firebird Formula. It has the limited slip differential if that helps. Now, this noise SEEMS to be coming more from my back right side. It is not constant, it makes the noise maybe once every 15-20 seconds, and sometimes a few minutes pass before I hear it. It‘s usually only when I let off the accelerator or when I‘m braking, but sometimes it happens when I have just started to accelerate. Sometimes it almost seems like my exhaust. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? I‘ve seriously racked my brains for any answer, I even rode around in my trunk trying to figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Also, what does a bad axle sound like, and is the noise constant?
a rough axle bearing will generally be a constant humm type of noise. you may try replacing the diff lube with the proper additive. rust is common on the outer edge surface of brake rotors. also dirt in the parking brake drums will cause strange noises
e answer is simple. You want to handle and grip corners? Or du you want to cruise and steer a little as a fat tire rolls down the straight?
Since you say it happens when applying the brakes, I'm inclined to believe you have a bad rotor or drum on the passenger side. This may have resulted from contact with a curb or other object. I'd get it checked asap. A bad axle, rear assembly or bearing would produce a constant frinding noise. Good luck!
If you have drum brakes my guess is a spring has broken or come loose. It might be a wheel/axle bearing, if you raise the back end of the car up and spin the wheel listen for noise then. Don't ride around in your trunk listening for it! Another thing you can do is after you've driven the car for about a half hour or so put your hand on that wheel, if it is unbearably hot you have a problem. When you take the wheel off look for grease, if the bearing went bad it may start leaking grease.
the handling comes more from the suspension set up than the width of thre tyres, bear in mind theres only a sliver of tyre in contact at any time, rubber compound makes a lot more difference than size, and really how far do you want to push the handling, if you want your knee down then you are looking at the wrong bikes anyway, but to answer your question, they are about the same. cheers
