i have a 2000 ram 1500 4x4 with 115k and it started to make a clunking noise when i hit bumps in the road, i shook the bed sideways back and forth and found the noise is coming from the rear wheels on both sides, i jacked up both sides and checked the wheel lugs,they are tightbut the wheel has a little play in it up and down,like when you check your ball joints ,both sides. is this a bearing issue? i dont hear any grinding noise. i just got the last payment in, cant win with this truck.

 

Sounds like it could be a wheel bearing issue, or rear stab bar end links or something to that effect. We had a newer explorer come in the shop today with both rear wheel bearings shot, the wheel had quite a bit of play in it.

 

Could just be the bushings in the shocks are worn and shrunk. Mine are. You can actually see a gap between the bushing and the lower mount.

 

the noise is from the axle i can move the wheel in and out to make the noise, i was hoping it was shocks but its in the rear end, sounds like the wheel bangs up against the brake drum

 

It's a c-clip axle. There is a little bit of play in and out (in all the way, out against the c-clip).

 

why would it make noise only now? how can i inspect the bearings.

 

its normal for the axles to slide in/out some. that generally doesn't cause a clunk while driving. axle bearing would generally cause a roar, not a clunk. to inspect them you jack up, remove tires, remove diff cover, remove lock bolt and pin (i think), keep screwing around and eventually pull the c-clips, and the axles will slide out. don't mess up the seals out at the ends or you'll have to replace them.

its probably your shock bolts/bushings wallered out. or something like a spare tire loose and banging around.