bad sounds, axle play

[fusername]

So I have a swing axle ~67 fiberglass buggy, and suddenly it developed a real not nice sound from the drivers rear axle. When I am coasting real slow (5-10 mph) and in or out of gear, sometimes there is this rythmic clunk clunk clunk like a mallet hitting some steel. IT only happens sometimes, and is more likely to happen if I let off the gas suddenly or blip it quickly, regardless of clutch position. As far as I can tell it never happens at speed. I jacked up that axle expecting loose lugs, and found nothing. I did find I can pull the drum/axle in and out about 1/16-1/18 an inch. It is not the drum on the axle, but the whole kit and kaboodle. Options? Ideas? So far I have heard lunched bearing, although I would expect noise at speed, and wrong axletube/axle combo. been driving for a while and it only started making the noise now, tightening the rear brakes seems to have made it worse, from a clunk to the said mallet on steel sound. its not a nice sound. I have also had it suggested the nut is loose, but she isn't leaking any fluids, but I have it parked either way. I need to borrow the wrench to get the axle nut off, so I want to have a checklist of possible problems before I waste a day on it.

[fusername]

oh I have about 4k on this new transmission, and only got the noise now

[fusername]

anyone? hopefully its a bad bearing, but if its axle length mismatch, anyone have a good online reference explaining how much I can id without tearing it all apart?

[fusername]

ok I found this, so its a start
http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/ShortVSLong

I assume if I have SHORT tubes there is no way to put a long axle in by accident as the bearing would seat on the axle too early and you can't get the retainer on, but if i have LONG tubes anything is possible. Are there any other tube lengths, mabye bus or type III that could have accidently ended out on my car?

[Pablo2]

Yes, I think you're onto the problem .. either a bad bearing or incorrect bearing retainer would be my first guesses. Either way, you need to start disassembling that side. Please let us know what you find ..

[fusername]

happilly....

[turboblue]

ok I found this, so its a start
http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/ShortVSLong

I assume if I have SHORT tubes there is no way to put a long axle in by accident as the bearing would seat on the axle too early and you can't get the retainer on, but if i have LONG tubes anything is possible. Are there any other tube lengths, mabye bus or type III that could have accidently ended out on my car?

I think sedan axle tubes are the same length.
Housings are different.
There are 3 axle lengths also.
Your link referred to 67 being a long axle.
US spec '67 had an intermediate axle.
Those cars had a long housing but the shorter splined 5 lug drum.

[fusername]

... yay...

[fusername]

My German 1974 VW workshop manual lists the following:

Type 1 august 1966- August 1967
* 1358 mm track
* 5 lug
* axle nut w/no shoulder
* bearing cover seating depth 22.5 mm
* ?? axle
Type 1 august 1967- on
* 1350 mm track
* 4 lug
* axle nut with shoulder
* bearing cover seating depth 19.5 MM
* ?? but different axle (has longer splines in diagram, but not stated)

Type 3 From August 1965-on
all same as type 1 from august 67 - on
EXCEPT
different backplate
two piece drum
differnt axle tube

[turboblue]

My German 1974 VW workshop manual lists the following:

Type 1 august 1966- August 1967
* 1358 mm track
* 5 lug
* axle nut w/no shoulder
* bearing cover seating depth 22.5 mm
* ?? axle
Type 1 august 1967- on
* 1350 mm track
* 4 lug
* axle nut with shoulder
* bearing cover seating depth 19.5 MM
* ?? but different axle (has longer splines in diagram, but not stated)

Type 3 From August 1965-on
all same as type 1 from august 67 - on
EXCEPT
different backplate
two piece drum
differnt axle tube

German specs are different.
My 67 German Euro spec bug is a 4 lug, long axle.

Three US spec axles AFAIK.
26-11/16ths, short axle, short housing to '66
27-13/16ths intermediate axle, long housing '67
28-7/16ths long axle, long housing '68

[Dougy Dee]

Sounds more like the splines in the brake drum are going bad.

[fusername]

soooo, after a reassembly I have no noise (for now I am sure) and no leaks (shocking but YAY) so we will see what happens. However I became suspicious of my brake pads, they look very poorly made w/ 1/16 of material hanging over in corners here and there. Also there appears to be some faint "tap" marks on the end of a lug bolt (pulled drum off w/ lugs in still) so I think it is possible that something in the brakes was hitting, HOWEVER I couldn't find any evidence on the internal bits of the brakes. I put it all back together, should the noise return I will use soem dychem and reassemble, and drive till i hear more noise, then check and see if there is any new clues, OR just throw a new set of pads at it, I don't like these.