Rear brake/wheel bearing prob.

[gothguy70]

I posted this in another area too but this prob. better for it.In the rear driver side wheel area I have a constant thump sound at speed and worsens with load/acceleration.The c/v axle seems ok.I jacked up rear of car and put in gear and listenen for noise from bearing or c/v joint.Nothing.I used my stethascope and listened to where bearing in hub is.Nothing.
No caliper pins broke.Could piston be sticking in the caliper bore after I let off brake.Sound changes when braking hard.I drove around in parking lot turning in both directions but didn't change the sound really.I drove behind the strip mall and the sound from the rear wheel area sounded like something binding/popping.This problem started the monday before christmas when it was down to 8 degrees one night.been a month and gotten a little worst.When it's way below freezing it gets worse.
This is my DD and it's a totally stock car.I replace the CSB and fixed the driveshaft months ago and checked that again yesterday.fine.I saw no evidence of exhaust hitting anything.Almost sounds like there is a big rock rattle around in muffler when driving down the road.But it's def. from the wheel/brake.That was just my description of what it sounded like to myself and passengers.stupid but.
Do I need to stop driving immediately and drive my truck?This is really bugging me.From time to time this car shows me who is the boss.
My next move(maybe tonite after work) is to remove that caliper and go for a drive to eliminate the brake.
Any help is greatly appreciated

[gothguy70]

On the way home I turned off the music and just listened for half an hour to my wonderfull noise.After driving on highway some distance between towns with out using brake to slow down the noise stops or becomes barely audible.Upon heavy braking from 30-45mph i get no noise.I'm thinking brake caliper.that's the target tonite.Had it off before.The pins seemed fine but did not look where they screwed into.Is there supposed to be a rubber bushing or something in there.
The thumping increases with vehicle speed reguardless of clutch in or out or in nuetral.Just more pronounced under load.A little vibration but that may just be the tire.I have noticed my gas milage getting worse with the problem.Making me think dragging brakes/sticking caliper.I used to have a saturn coupe that made a similar sound.One caliper pin broke and the caliper was flopping up and smacking the wheel as I drove down the road.
The car is a 5 speed with well over 220K on the clock.It sat for 1 1/2 years before i took it home for a whoppin $400.It was well maintained by PO she is in military over in iraq and has a nice new car.I don't want a frame off resto or to spend my kids education fund just want a safe and fun little car.I really like this car and don't mind spending my time messing with it just don't want to aimlessly throw money at it that I don't have anyway.Engine mech. and electrical are my thing.mystery noises get me sometimes.

[e30serg]

Did you get a chance to remove the brake rotor and check the parking brake assembly?

[atomic]

I would rotate your tires and see if the noise moves to where that wheel on the left rear was moved too. It to me sounds like you might have a belt that has slipped in that tire. Worth a try anyways. At least it is a cheap alternative to see if the problem moves to another corner before tearing calipers apart or buying parts that didn't fix the problem.

:up:

[gothguy70]

It does seem to be the parking brake mech.Got too late and had to get car back together for I can get to work.I will swap the tires.I forget about the bad tire thing.Thanks for the suggestions.