Obligatory 'Strange Noise' Topic, Caliper's Locked Up? Options

[senick]

Well, I have a 95 AT200 w/AT. Lately (for the past month) I've been hearing a noise from underneath. It's on and off, and mostly there's no noise. But when it happens, it's at low speeds, and it sounds like metal on metal contact, like the brakes are rubbing (which is what it could be). My theory is that it might be the exhaust, as I've already had some ghetto welding done on it, but I think the cat's breaking from the inside out, and the metal shavings burning on the inside are what's making the noise, which would explain the intermittent nature of the noise and why I usually only hear it at low speed. Does that sound reasonable?
As far as symptoms, she's driving like a top, aside from some rough idling at times. Shifts are great, no misfiring, oil and trans fluid are fine, engine temp good. I just had the passenger side CV axle replaced, and I know the sound isn't coming from the driver's side.
I know this is a pretty poor explanation of the problem, but if it happens again I'll try to record it and then you guys can hear it. But meantime, do you think it could be the exhaust?

Edit: The noise seems to amplify when I hit a sharp incline, or roll through a low spot in a parking lot, so that the front of the car is higher than the back.

This post has been edited by senick: Oct 6, 2011 - 10:10 AM

[richee3]

You don't need a press. I did it with nothing more than basic tools and quite a bit of Gojo. All I had to do was hammer the old bearing out then use what was left of it (the bearing disintegrated inside the hub, hence my fearlessness with a hammer) to tap the new bearing in. It's easier to have a shop do it but it can definitely be done yourself if you aren't afraid to get dirty.

I agree with rave, drive under some tunnels or something to see if you can still hear it. Like I said, there was nothing left of my wheel bearing. I opened the hub and all the balls fell out immediately but I didn't have any play at all.

This post has been edited by richee3: Oct 2, 2011 - 12:20 PM