Rear end scraping noise when driving?

Hi all,

After driving my truck into the mountains and doing some minor 4 wheeling, I began to hear a high pitched scrapping sound in my rear end while driving, every time the tires rotated. The scrapping sound sped up and slowed down with the tire rotation. This morning the sound got worse with the tires rotating while driving. The sound is very similar to a disc brake scrapping against a brake caliber with no pads leftover (but of course tacos don’t have rear disc brakes). When looking under the truck, I notice a bunch of fluid splashed on the spare tire and around the axle. I do not notice a difference in handling or performance, but the noise is very noticeable and it is clearly something wrong. Also, my “maint req” light came on at about the same time this sound came on. I attached pics of the fluid splash below.

Does anyone have an idea of what this may be? I did some off roading over the weekend, but it was minor 4x4 use to get through deep snow and nothing more. I also had my rear diff replaced about 3k miles ago.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

 

whens the last time you greased the U joints on your rig?

 

Check your heat shields

 

It sure seems like something might be wrong with the brake. As in that’s brake fluid leaking out. Have you checked the reservoir. Also, as far as I know, the Maintenance Required light is only an oil change reminder. But I could be wrong about that.

 

My truck went into the shop a few months ago and they said the u joints were fine?

Since I had my rear diff replaced, I’m wondering if that may have something to do with it?

 

Thanks, next step is to check all the fluid levels. Hopefully that gives me an idea

 

It's hard to tell with the nightime photos and what looks like moisture/melted snow from the road vs leaking brake/diff/transmission/blinker fluids.

 

It sounds like you got a rock stuck in one of your rear brakes. You could take it apart and get it out or just let the rock eventually grind away

 

I’m hoping it’s just that! Thank you

 

Rock in the rear brakes. I get this all the time when I go wheeling in the snow or through muddy spots, though it's usually up front. Debris gets caught somewhere in the front end and makes a rotational squeal with the speed of the tires. It always clears itself eventually but in your case it sounds like you might have to take the rear wheels off and inspect/remove it manually

 

I hope it’s as minor as that. My concern is all of the fluid that is splashed on the spare tire and the rear axle, with the addition of the maint req light coming on at the same time this started to happen.

 

The maintenance req. Light is just a reminder to change your oil

 

Maintenance light has nothing to do with anything being wrong, it's just a reminder that your next service is coming up or already due. Just a coincidence that it came on around the same time. That light is triggered by your mileage not by any sensors on the truck that indicate damage/warnings like the check engine light.

As for the liquid can you tell what it is? Is it gear oil or brake fluid? If you cant tell then I would clean it off and monitor it closely for if/when it starts to come back so you can try and see where it's coming from. If it doesn't come back then it's probably just something from the road that got on there.

Check your brake fluid reservoir too just to make sure it isn't low or dropping

 

If its gear oil you will know by the smell.
Its a horrendous smell that lingers in your nose for at least 24 hrs.

 

I would say if the liquid doesn't smell like sasquatch nutsack (gear oil) and your brake fluid reservoir is full than most likely its nothing to worry about

 

I agree with the guys above .
Something stuck between the rear brake drums and the backing plates .
Edit : noises are difficult to diagnose over a keyboard . If the OP could post a short sound clip , replies would get very interesting

 

Yeah, I know it’s tough to diagnose with pics and vague online descriptions.

A buddy of mine said it might be the rear tranny seal from when the mechanics put my driveshaft back in after my rear diff was replaced. I’m praying it’s not that!!

I’ll check all my fluids and let you guys know what I find. Thanks for all of the tips! I just spent $1500 for a new rear diff with the intention of making my truck last another 100,000+ miles so it would get very frustrating if this was something major.

 

Why did you need a rear diff? Did it just wear out?

 

Good question.
Did your original diff blow up?

 

Yup, because I wasn’t diligent on changing the diff oil so it wore down over time. Just a Dumb mistake on my part and I paid the price literally