Mystery Ball

[Wolfman3002]

Ever since I got my GT(a little over a year ago), I've been finding these little ball bearings laying in the driveway (see pic below). They are exactly .250" (1/4") in diameter, and I've found maybe a dozen or so since I got the car. At the same time, I'm dealing w/ some rear end (or central joint?)noise that sounds like a metallic scraping. It is there at all speeds, and does not change during acceleration, braking or cornering. It just gets louder or softer depending on my speed (car speed MPH, not engine speed RPM). I also have a bad torque tube donut, w/ a lot of slop in the joint (mostly up and down), which I've tried to alleviate w/ some v-belt sections.
So, does anyone have any idea if the ball bearings I've been finding are coming from my rear end (insert joke here ), although I don't see where they could come out of; or are they possibly from the central joint bearing? I also haven't ruled out the possibility that they could come from the front end somewhere, but I have no strange noises up there, except for some clunking and squeaking when I go over bumps (torn ball joint boots and worn rubber is the cause of this, I guess).
Randy

[opelspyder]

Well, the best I can figure, it wouldn't be from the rear end I do not think. The center support bearing usually doesn't go bad, but it is a sealed bearing with a metal casing over top of that. Unless something has destroyed it, I can't emagine that being the cause, but maybe 1st guess with the problem you are having. The rest of the rear end is sealed, so say a sealed bearing or internal bearing were to come apart, I would emagine it would get crushed up and be laying inside the rear end. The tranny has some ball bearing like that for detents on the shafts, but then again, would be in the bottom of the pan and not outside. Is any bad oil leaks developed? I would assume if bearings could fall out, oil or grease most certainly would as well, except the center support bearing. I guess what I would do is pull off the torque tube and clean it up and inspect, we know the bushings obviously need replacement, so it isn't like it was all done for nothing.
Keith

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelspyder The center support bearing usually doesn't go bad, but it is a sealed bearing with a metal casing over top of that. Unless something has destroyed it, I can't emagine that being the cause, but maybe 1st guess with the problem you are having. Keith

I would check this area first. Keith has gone over everything I can think of also. You should be able to check it by simply shaking the driveshaft in different directions looking for too much slop.

Harold

[Wolfman3002]

Kieth,
Those were my thoughts also. I guess the only way to find out if it's the central joint bearing is to take it apart. Only, the weather is soooo nice around here right now that I don't want any more down time than I absolutely have to have. But, I guess that's better than have the bearing eat the pinion extension shaft (if it hasn't already).
Randy

[Wolfman3002]

Harold,
Thanks, and there's definitely a lot of slop in the the driveshaft, although I thought that was just from the disintegration of the donut.
Randy

[guyopel]

Looks like Robot eggs .. No ,does look like center brg. has come apart .

[Wolfman3002]

Guyopel,
Thanks. It looks like I'll be taking the central joint apart as soon as I can, and hope I find more little ball bearings inside.
Randy

[opelspyder]

Actually I hope you do not find ball bearings in there, or you possibly have another cause. Lets hope it is as simple as that.
Keith