1962 Chevy C10 First Drive Grinding Noise

[testerdahl]

I finally got my 1962 Chevy C10 road worthy yesterday and I took it out for a spin. Actually, I drove it all day. As I'm driving it more and more, I get a loud metal on metal sound. The day ended with me being towed home by my FIL thanks to a dead generator.

As I was being towed, I took a video of the sound.

https://youtu.be/0Wo3vGAADvg

Today, I'm going to try to grease the zerks, check oil in transmission and basically look around the underside. Any thoughts on what it is?

[raggedjim]

Something loose in the brake drums? You can jack up each tire and rotate it to try and isolate the problem.

Pull each drum and see if you have signs of rubbing metal (maybe something will fall out).

Good luck, Rg

[weq92f]

I had a very similar situation/sound and it turned out to be the bearing in my A/C compressor had failed completely. I thought it was the belt tensioner as they sometimes start howling but when I got it apart, the only pully that was not smooth and quiet was the compressor.

Removed the clutch/bearing and found the bearing basically gone and the pulley itself destroyed the coil. The noise was made by the completely dry ball bearings rattling around inside their completely dry "housing" between the pulley and the coil. It was probably throwing sparks even it was so bad.

Hth,

-klb

[testerdahl]

I did some looking around today and noticed the transmission fluid is basically empty. I put my finger in the fill hole and could barely get my glove dirty with oil. I'll be adding oil tomorrow hopefully and will see if it clears this up.

[testerdahl]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Something loose in the brake drums? You can jack up each tire and rotate it to try and isolate the problem.

Pull each drum and see if you have signs of rubbing metal (maybe something will fall out).

Good luck, Rg

Good thought. I pulled off each front wheel since that's where I think the sound is coming from. Removed the drums and everything looks like it should. I put all new drum brakes in earlier this year.

[Brad54]

Check the differential too. Make sure it's got fluid in it.
If you were in neutral while being towed, that particular noise can only be something that rotates while you're rolling: front bearings and brakes, rear wheel bearings and brakes, differential, driveshaft (carrier bearing if equipped), and transmission up to the clutch.

-Brad

[Boog]

With a sound like that bad will come of it. That's actually worse than finger nails on a chalkboard.
If the engine was not running while you were being towed then, as said, the source will be with what parts are moving from the wheels to the transmission. Jack the rear end up and start it and run it in gear. U joints can make all sorts of weird noises though not normally a constant sound like that. Check everything.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by testerdahl

I did some looking around today and noticed the transmission fluid is basically empty. I put my finger in the fill hole and could barely get my glove dirty with oil. I'll be adding oil tomorrow hopefully and will see if it clears this up.

No trans fluid? Auto or manual? The whine sound made me think tranny. Hard to tell though.

[testerdahl]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

No trans fluid? Auto or manual? The whine sound made me think tranny. Hard to tell though.

Manual. I just finished adding 32 ounces of 75 W 90 synthetic trans and gear oil. Literally the WHOLE bottle. I was shocked. Finally, at the very end, it started to spill out a little.

I drove it around the block and the whining noise started going away especially when turning as the oil worked it way in I think.

This leaves the metal clicking sound. I'm going to run now and buy more fluid to do the rear axle. Then, I plan on crawling around under the truck to see if I can find any "witness marks."

[testerdahl]

UPDATE: Whining noise is gone thanks to putting trans oil in transmission and rear axle. Both were pretty empty.

Metal clicking sound was muffler rubbing against driveshaft.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[jtrichard]

AMAZING what a little OIL in the trans will do

[testerdahl]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

AMAZING what a little OIL in the trans will do

Little? 64 ounces of oil today and I could use some more. LMAO!

[TJ's Chevy]

Yep, Might wanna put some lucas in as well. That trans will need it after all that. lol

[testerdahl]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Yep, Might wanna put some lucas in as well. That trans will need it after all that. lol

For sure. Lucas oil 75 w 90 Synethic oil put into both. Just need some more for the rear axle.

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by testerdahl

Little? 64 ounces of oil today and I could use some more. LMAO!

A little would have been much better then what you had NONE ...Kinda ruff on the gears and bearings

[61K10]

Where did the oil go?

[jtrichard]

Truck sat for 10 years , rear seal leak ,rear bearing retainer/PTO gasket leak ..Could have been leaking when last driven (look at bottom of cab for big OLD oil mess)...... I assume he never thought to check trans and rear before road trip (exited to take her out for the first time NONE of us have EVER been there done that ????) Things get over looked that is one (painful ) way we learn

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 61K10

Where did the oil go?

Same place mine goes.

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Same place mine goes.

Multiple choice

A--- Oil heaven

B ---Your friends (now X-friend) New concrete driveway

C----The windshield of the car behind you

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

Multiple choice

A--- Oil heaven

B ---Your friends (now X-friend) New concrete driveway

C----The windshield of the car behind you

Winner winner turkey dinner!

All 3 are correct. lol!