Mountain Biking - Noise coming from rear wheel.

There's a noise coming from my rear wheel, I can seem to figure out what it is. When I ride around, it makes noises that sound like I have those dinky things that go up and down your spokes (like kids have on their bikes, made in various colours...) and there's this clunging noise. I tried lifting the rear off the ground and pedaling, and I can hear it, it's almost like a rubbing sometimes, but I look, and it looks completely true and nothing appears to be rubbing. So, I pedal it backwards, still makes the sound, but the wheel isn't making noise.

So, my conclusion is that the axle could be broken or something like the freewheel is broken? Anyone have any ideas what it could be? Could it be something I could fix myself?

take the wheel off. it the axle comes apart, it's broken.

Check the spokes first, a spoke or two can go loose and not effect the trueness of the wheel. Also check the deraillieur spacing. If it is neither of them, then your hub is starting to die on you.

The rubbing is pads on the rotor.

sounds like you've been spokey doked

When I ride around, it makes noises that sound like I have those dinky things that go up and down your spokes (like kids have on their bikes, made in various colours...)


Spokey Dokes.

I've gotten that noise with a broken axle. Replacable if that's the problem.

sounds like you've been spokey doked

See sig.

ah, I'll just ride it until something breaks.

When do you hear the noise? While pedaling or coasting or both?

DBD:beer:

Both. I can pedal backwards and not have the wheel moving and hear it. It's not the rubbing of the disc, because that's a totally different noise and I have as well(rubbing on discs doesn't bother me, hayes suck anyway).

My first guess without seeing the wheel is the prawls are going bad and if there is any lateral play then the axle may be loose which will also cause the prawls to wear faster.

Another thought, do you ever ride in mud or deep water? Stream crossings and such. The bearings may be going or already gone and need regreasing/replacing.

DBD:beer:

Does crappy wet winter weather count?