Rubbing noise, rear of van...

...as it says, there is a rubbing noise at the rear of my bus, increases with speed but sometimes disappears altogether - does a worn joint sound like that? When I had a joint go before it knocked - constantly!

Have been under and looked at everything I can, nothing is brushing wheels, shafts etc...
Cheers B

 

What kind of rubbing noise is it?

 

Well, now we need a radio feed!
It really does sound like something rubbing the edge of a wheel each revolution - but it ain't!!

 

Has the van been sat for a bit?

 

had this same symptoms as yours @bryandsi if it is have you taken wheel off and looked at back plate ,see if theirs any shiney places , also check see if you have excessive play on your rear bearing whilst at it ? or could be shoe maybe something has let go inside drum??

 

thanks for the replies, it hasn't been sat but I have been fiddling with the rear brakes for a while (the clasp coming off the handbrake lever a few weeks ago). Could be that I have pulled the back plate about - thanks for the idea, will have a look tomorrow!
Cheers B

 

Collapsed wheel bearing perhaps?

 

If it's a rubbing/scraping noise that increases with wheel speed, may well be the backplate (or crud in the drum slot). I had a terrible dose when I fitted new backplates. Bending unlikely to solve the problem: it's hard to know where to bend, and you'll go mad trying. In the end, I just kept driving the van, and whatever it was wore itself down eventually.

Bearings generally rumble or roar.

 

Does the drum get hot? - stick your finger through the wheel. This can give you a clue, though it if does you've still got a few possibilities to eliminate.

 

Good call everyone, backplate rubbing !!!

 

grind a tad off your brake drums is easiest with a flap wheel , mine were doing it did this dont now and you wont end up with a thin spot on your backplates either .

 

I would suggest the backing plate. It is possible to bend it away but it is hard to get it right as it tends to move towards the drum about 90 degrees around from where you pull it away.
Can I also add one as less likely but possible of the horseshoe washers off the handbrake lever pin ... fallen off and grinding the drum. This is horrible because it eventually goes under the pads and chews them at the same time as putting the brake on. You can feel that as a pulsing in the pedal...