G’day guys,

Hoping someone can help a novice out.

I have a 68 beetle which runs really well, except for one slight problem. There is
something in the back left that is making a pretty annoying noise.

I had a mechanic do a quick check, he said that he couldn’t see anything obvious that was rattling or making a noise and would check it out more next time he does a full service.

The noise is not really a rattle more of a grinding noise which comes and goes. Can sometimes be stopped if I take my foot off the accelerator.

thanks in advance.

Hi there

Does it do it if you just rev the motor??

Does it only do it under load??

If it is "grinding" i can only guess it is diff/gbox/transaxle related

You have oil inthe box??

Hi ya,


It only happens when I'm driving turning has no impact on the noise. Its hard to explain what it really sounds like, grinding is probably a bit strong. I will have a listen tonight and try for a better description of what's going on.

thanks for you help though.

you are not confusing it with pinging or pre-igniition??

Could something be caught somewhere??
fanshroud??

My Son had that once.... it turned out to be the "C" clip that you squash onto the pin that holds the hand brake cable lever to the brake Shoe,it had broken in two and fell onto the brake drum..... and then grind grind... depending on where the clip was at the time...
Could be a worn out brake shoe..
Could be a wheel bearing...
Hopefully its something to do with the brakes-wheel bearing, and NOT the gearbox...

You do have oil in the gear box and no split axle boots....
does Your clutch pedal have free play?
could be the clutch throw out bearing...

maybe a wheel bearing.

maybe no tyres on rims lol