Hamsters!

[scot]

I have a noise now in my '94 Defender ST that I just cannot identify. It seems to be coming from either the right rear wheel or the rear diff. It sounds like a hamster in a squeaky wheel and only happens when the wheel is turning, under power or coasting, the noise is the same. Brakes on or off--make no difference either. It also squeaks randomly, in other words the rhythm does not seem to be tied to speed of the spinning wheel and either goes away at highway speed or I just can no longer hear it!! It really sounds like a hamster with a limp in a wheel. Any ideas out there?

[Mike Hippert]

I would first have a look at the rear drive shaft, but normaly they are only noisy when under load. Then I would try the wheel bearings, first and easiest thing would be to jack up the wheel and spinn it by hand and listen for your Hampster.

[Hans]

Do the Rover brake pads have squeakers in them when they start to run low?

-Hans

[Mike Hippert]

OH DOH! You just gave me an Idea Hans, the mud shields sometimes (almost all the time) get bent into the rotor and get real annoying! I bet thats the problem!

[scot]

I guess I should have jacked the damn thing up yesterday and investigated....but instead I chose to wash the Harley Davidson and inadvertently scratched the pipes..... :( ...