Weird rubbing noise coming from the back of my 5th gen Camaro at low speeds?

[Yellowbee RS LT]

My Camaro has just started making a low rubbing noise around the rear axles at very low speeds, it's kinda faint, you wouldn't hear it with the music cranked, is it bad bearing? Has this happened to any of you guys before?

[Moto-Mojo]

I seem to have something similar going on. I don't hear well at ALL but this is a lower frequency I can pick up. I have MRR wheels that have a slight offset, which is said to place a little more load on wheel bearings.

I also suspected diff too. I was never sure I had enough lube in it and then added some. It made no difference. I don't think it's the halfshaft axles. But it is a possibility I suppose.

[DUSSTED]

Have you tried lifting the rear end spinning the wheels by hand and under power? Could help you eliminate potential causes.

[RacerBX1]

I have a 2011 SS and several years ago I had an issue with tight slow turns (like in a parking lot) where it sounded like a tire was rubbing on the inner plastic wheel well, but I could not find any rubbing marks. It turned out to be the differential fluid needed changing (at 12,000 miles). What I was told is the noise was the clutches in the differential were sticking and slipping rapidly and that’s what was making the noise. Just thought I would throw this out there incase it sounds like your situation.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by RacerBX1

I have a 2011 SS and several years ago I had an issue with tight slow turns (like in a parking lot) where it sounded like a tire was rubbing on the inner plastic wheel well, but I could not find any rubbing marks. It turned out to be the differential fluid needed changing (at 12,000 miles). What I was told is the noise was the clutches in the differential were sticking and slipping rapidly and that’s what was making the noise. Just thought I would throw this out there incase it sounds like your situation.

Had that same issue back in 2012, they changed the oil and additive twice, still didn't help, so they replaced the entire diff, clutches, gears and all, no more noises to date.. I do remember there was a TSB out on it back then. Didn't happen to everyone, just some cars. The other thing the OP might want to check is his e brake cable, sometimes the come lose from the clip holding it to the inner liner.

[TheBrightSide]

I remember a lot of the 2010-2011 SS V8 models had that thrust washer issue/TSB. I’m not sure if the 10-11 RS V6 models had that issue, or even the 12-15 ones…

Also, you might wanna check and push back all of your brake rotor dust shields. There’s been instances where I’ve knocked it a little and didn’t think anything of it, but it would end up scraping on the edge of the rotor. However, this noise would pretty much be there nonstop as long as you’re moving, and gets “less” with speed.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Had that same issue back in 2012, they changed the oil and additive twice, still didn't help, so they replaced the entire diff, clutches, gears and all, no more noises to date.. I do remember there was a TSB out on it back then. Didn't happen to everyone, just some cars. The other thing the OP might want to check is his e brake cable, sometimes the come lose from the clip holding it to the inner liner.

Both of my cars diffs have done the binding clutches thing. My current SS was doing it when I bought it with 2800 miles on it. Both cars only do/did it when the gear oil wasn’t up to temperature. I don’t really worry about it much. If it blows up the Posi I’ll put a true track in it and be done.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Both of my cars diffs have done the binding clutches thing. My current SS was doing it when I bought it with 2800 miles on it. Both cars only do/did it when the gear oil wasn’t up to temperature. I don’t really worry about it much. If it blows up the Posi I’ll put a true track in it and be done.

Is that basically the same thing as having the rear diff chatter? I’m assuming you only felt it when turning? I would probably be real worried if the rear diff made significant noise and/or chattered when going in a straight line.. Did you end up switching to an aftermarket gear oil brand or add more limited slip additive/modifier to fix the issue?

When I got my car at around 18k miles, the prior owners or the dealership themselves (a Chevy dealership) tried flushing out the rear diff. I have no idea what they put in it, but the rear diff chattered like mad on cold starts when turning, and still continued to chatter even after 10-15 minutes of driving or so. I stupidly bought the car, but ended up just changing in new gear oil and adding LS additive to see the problem go away.

Not sure what was in there exactly, but I’d be real concerned if Chevy themselves let a car like that go out onto the lot for sale without at least changing the diff oil. The salesman totally brushed it off, which was probably another sign for me not to go the car (dumb me).

I usually use Mobil 1 FS 75w-90, with whatever LS additive/modifier is available (usually small 2.5 fl oz bottles). I believe I only needed like half that amount of LS additive the last time I changed the diff oil with my usual Mobil 1 gear oil. The only other gear oil I tried that was like 95% efficient, was Royal Purple Max Gear 75w-90. It would chatter like the first couple feet or for the first turn or two, and then it would immediately stop right after that. Never ended up trying to add more limited slip modifier with that gear oil, however.

The factory posi LSD is so picky, I tried like 3 or 4 other brands of gear oil before getting the “concoction” just right. One of the worst gear oils for me, surprisingly, was Lucas heavy duty 80w-90 (conventional), even with ~3 fl oz of limited slip additive added. However, that’s just my experience and I’m sure the results of peoples’ experienced have varied so much, that I’m sure most people have conflicting experiences.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

Is that basically the same thing as having the rear diff chatter? I’m assuming you only felt it when turning? I would probably be real worried if the rear diff made significant noise and/or chattered when going in a straight line.. Did you end up switching to an aftermarket gear oil brand or add more limited slip additive/modifier to fix the issue?

When I got my car at around 18k miles, the prior owners or the dealership themselves (a Chevy dealership) tried flushing out the rear diff. I have no idea what they put in it, but the rear diff chattered like mad on cold starts when turning, and still continued to chatter even after 10-15 minutes of driving or so. I stupidly bought the car, but ended up just changing in new gear oil and adding LS additive to see the problem go away.

Not sure what was in there exactly, but I’d be real concerned if Chevy themselves let a car like that go out onto the lot for sale without at least changing the diff oil. The salesman totally brushed it off, which was probably another sign for me not to go the car (dumb me).

I usually use Mobil 1 FS 75w-90, with whatever LS additive/modifier is available (usually small 2.5 fl oz bottles). I believe I only needed like half that amount of LS additive the last time I changed the diff oil with my usual Mobil 1 gear oil. The only other gear oil I tried that was like 95% efficient, was Royal Purple Max Gear 75w-90. It would chatter like the first couple feet or for the first turn or two, and then it would immediately stop right after that. Never ended up trying to add more limited slip modifier with that gear oil, however.

The factory posi LSD is so picky, I tried like 3 or 4 other brands of gear oil before getting the “concoction” just right. One of the worst gear oils for me, surprisingly, was Lucas heavy duty 80w-90 (conventional), even with ~3 fl oz of limited slip additive added. However, that’s just my experience and I’m sure the results of peoples’ experienced have varied so much, that I’m sure most people have conflicting experiences.

Yep that’s exactly how I would describe it. Since it goes away within a minute or two of driving I never really worried about it. As far as I know my current car is on the original gear oil from ‘09 with about 9,000 miles on it.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Yep that’s exactly how I would describe it. Since it goes away within a minute or two of driving I never really worried about it. As far as I know my current car is on the original gear oil from ‘09 with about 9,000 miles on it.

Why not just change it?? Lol

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

If it did it all the time I probably would. I don’t really drive it much and definitely not eanough for a small amount of binding when I first drive it to worry me.

[Moto-Mojo]

I can say that my SS diff liked ONLY the GM lube. It chattered like hell even with Amsoil gear lube.

[Yellowbee RS LT]

Update: the rubbing sound has gotten a little bit more noticeable and is random, I've taken it to 2 shops and both times they've told me they can't figure out what it is.