Hi all. This is my first post here.

I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD Quad Cab with the 360 (5.9L). It has been making noise in the rear end when I take a turn. It seems like the whole rear of the truck shifts to the outboard side of the turn. If I grab the bed of the truck and shake it back and forth, I can make it clunk-clunk back and forth with the motion of the truck.

I just removed the rear wheels and brake drums and it seems that there is some play in the axle. I can grab the hub and pull it out and push it in about 1/16 inch in and out of the axle.

So, I found the noise...now how can I fix it? Has anyone else seen a similar issue?

Thanks!
Rick

 

I don't think that is the source of the clunk, a 1/16 is nothing. Have someone shake the bed back and forth while you look underneath. Look at the leaf spring mounts and the u bolts. Chaeck the bed to frame mounts also..

And welcome to DF

 

Hi zman - thanks for the reply and the welcome.

I'm fairly certain that's where the noise is coming from. I had the suspension rebuilt a couple of years ago and had helper springs added as well. Everything seems to be tight in the rear-end except for the play in the axle ends.

Do you have any thoughts how I would go about repairing the end play in the axle?

 

the axles are held in by C-clips in the differential, ther is a chance that the clutch plates in the LS wore enough to create alot of play, but like zman said, 1/16 is pretty normal. But if your determined, you can pull the cover off and check the fluid, and shine a light inside the diff and check the condition of everything, but honestly... i would look at the suspension a little closer, check all the bushings, check u-bolts etc.

 

Alright, fair enough. I'll keep looking then... Thanks!