I have a clicking sound coming from the right rear wheel / axle / brake when I am backing up...especially when I pull out of the garage in the morning. My initial thoughts focused on the universal joints, then the rear wheel bearing, but looking at the inside of the drum, there is a slight indentation in the round plug seen in the pics. The plug is about 2mm proud of the inner face of the drum and there are shiny tracks on the edges of the hub. I have to assume I have found the source as there is no bearing noise when I rotate the hub...and no play either...same for the U-joints which are new. I am also getting a slight rumble out of the area in question. Any thoughts...?

Best bet is to remove the other drum and compare left to right. If you have to remove the shoes for any reason you have something to compare to. Back in the day they used to say on drum brakes “Do one side at a time”.

You showed the axle flange but not the backing plate.  Check the backing plate for rub marks.  Pretty common to get a slight bend in it.  A hammer will fix it.

I appreciate the responses. After looking at the "plug" and the hub, I don't believe they have anything to do with the noise. I'm beginning to think bearing...just can't feel anything significant when I rotate the hub. Hmmmm...

11 hours ago, Tirnipgreen said:

a clicking sound coming from the right rear wheel / axle / brake when I am backing up

Could be a new U-joint that's not very good?  Maybe take them off and check them.  

The wear material on the brake shoe may be loose, I had that happen to me once.

On 5/31/2024 at 7:30 PM, Zed Head said:

You showed the axle flange but not the backing plate.  Check the backing plate for rub marks.  Pretty common to get a slight bend in it.  A hammer will fix it.

Zed may have the answer I was looking for. Just the slightest flat spot on the rim of the backing plate. I gently bent it with a screwdriver and (knock on wood) no more clicking when I back up...! Thanks, Zed...!