well guys i have an ea 5 speed and i am hearing a strange rubbing/grinding type noise from the back of my car.
at first i thought it was only when the clutch was engaged while changing gears but ive realised that it is there whenever i lift of the throttle.
could it be a wheel bearing?
if not any help would be great.

anyone?

Control arm bushes

Give a more detailed description. does it make the sound when hitting bumps? does it sound like its comming from the diff? is it itermitant or a constant grinding sound?
Id say,
1) drive up to about 40km/h and ease your hand break on (not enough to lock the wheels!) if the grinding gets more noticable then its your rear brake pads.
2) when your driving at say around 60km/h blip the throttle on and off, dont floor it just give it about 1/4 throttle then let it off then back on a few times. If there is a loud clunking sound from the rear then your diff has to much play between the crown wheel and pinion and its not meshing correctly.
3)does it clunk or grind making sharp turns?
You could have fkt planitary gears in the diff centre.
Being a 5speed single spinner i doubt you take it easy on the diff. Lots of second dumpies and drift attempts?
4) if the sound gets louder the faster you drive and increase's in pitch then its your wheel bearings.
5) get under the car and see if anythings rubbing on something.

But going from your description id say that its your crown wheel and pinion or the planitary gears in the diff centre.

lsd,no flogging it,i just accelerate a bit hard.
it seems to be there all the time..im thinking wheel bearing but not sure.

well i changed the rear pads today and the noise is still there.its driving me nuts.its like a bad wheel bearing noise.

well... take it to a mechanic and see.

im now thinking its the handbrake stuck on.
the handbrake has always been hard to pull and starts grabbing after 2 clicks.
the noise has gotten louder since the rear pad change and the brakes seem to be on as i feel the car being held back a little.
also the brakes smeel a bit at the rear after driving.

The front handbrake cable on XD/E/F/EA/B/D is known for seizing, holding the brake on. Then it doesnt release correctly either.

so is there a quick fix,wd ,loosen etc?
or is it a replacement job?

If its the cable its a replace job - takes from .5hr to 1.5 hr or so.

Nigel

well jumped under and had a look at the cable.
someone has had it adjusted all the way so it was tight as possible,ive loosened it off to about half way and that seems to have made alot of difference.