Good Morning Everyone...

Question for you all....

My recently purchased 96 1500 4x4 from day one, has been making noise from the rear (noise was a ruurrrr/hum when driving). The noise would dissipate when letting off the gas pedal and resume when getting back on it. I jacked up the rear housing and started looking around. The yoke seemed to have some play and the nut had only 2 threads showing. I disconnected the drive shaft and tightened the yoke nut about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn), I couldn't get it any tighter (I tried like a gorilla). I buttoned everything up and took it for a test drive. Noise gone (about 90-95% of it). I'm "assuming" the residual noise (minimal) is from the A/T 32" mudder tires?

My question IS...when I had the rear axle up in the air, there was play/movement in both rear axles (if I grab the tires at the 3/9 o'clock position, there was in/out movement at both hubs). Is there supposed to be play? If not, is the culprit the axle shaft bearings or something integral to the pumpkin?

Thanks,
JD

 

A little bit of in/out movement is normal, simply because of the way the axles are held in. (C-clips on the inner end of the shaft.) Probably have a pinion bearing going south.

 

HeyYou,

Thanks for your reply. I'll just monitor the situation. For now, tightening the yoke nut quieted the noise. It's not my everyday driver, weekend kick around, I'll just wait her out.

 

Cheaper to fix it before it blows up.

 

True! It seams pretty straight forward.