Got a rumble in my rear end

[Jpeterjp]

So I took my 59 Bird out for some fresh fuel and a little drive and about 20 min into the drive I heard a sound like stones in the rear hub caps as I decelerated.
This got progressively worse as the noise got much louder and I thought it was then a flat tire (it wasn't) and as I continued to get it home the sound became horribly worse and the rear end seemed to shake a bit.
I would describe it as a scraping, grinding sound but only when I would let off on the gas. When I stepped on the gas it would go away.
I have never experienced this with any vehicle.
Any thoughts anyone?
Tranny? Brakes? ???

[bird 60]

At a guess, possibly one of the brake springs has broken & you have a loose shoe, or one of the shoe pads has come off. Also first check the universal joints as they can make a scraping type noise if they are very bad.

Chris.....From OZ.

[scumdog]

Possibly the pinion nut has backed off or there's an issue with the pinion bearing.

[OX1]

I'm leanin towards rear brakes also. Not that many horrid noises with bearings and gears go away on or off the throttle.

[Jpeterjp]

My noisy rear end...

Thanks ALL for the suggestions. I recently did some brake work on all 4's, so it may be the brakes is the issue.
Who knows? maybe I left a wrench or screwdriver, or pack of camels in there! We've all seen those x-rays of surgical tools left behind in someone's gut....

[jopizz]

I wouldn't be surprised if one of the small brake shoe springs popped off. That's been known to happen if you don't turn the cap correctly.

John

[scumdog]

I'm leanin towards rear brakes also. Not that many horrid noises with bearings and gears go away on or off the throttle.

The part that puzzles me is the noise only happens if he is off the gas??

[OX1]

The part that puzzles me is the noise only happens if he is off the gas??

Could be many different things. I've had horrendous
sounding "has to be drivetrain" noises that ended up
being an exh hitting frame, either on or off the gas.

[Yadkin]

Hopefully it's just a brake spring. I could be a wheel bearing though. I've had two fail on me, one front and one rear. Both different cars, I count myself lucky both times.

[simplyconnected]

I have an idea. Since you really don't want to continue driving the car while the problem exists, why not throw a jack stand under the frame and pull the wheel off.

Take some pictures from different angles while you move things around.

You may not need to pull the drums if you find the lug nuts were loose.

Regardless, lets see your brake job. It was recently done so the area will still be clean. While you're at it, let's see the other side as well. - Dave