I was changing my drum brakes (rear) and noticed on the drivers side that I could move the hub/axel in and out probably 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch . That occurs only on the drivers side. I also have a noise in the rear end (definetly coming from the differential ) on acceleration and when coasting to a stop ......is this a wore out bearing or what? I can only hear it when the radio is off fyi haha

 

The 9.25 axle uses c-clips to retain the axles. So, a bit of in-out slop is normal.

What kind of noise?

 

The best I can describe it is well....... you know when your sitting still with your steering pinned and your can hear the strain on your power steering pump? It honestly sounds like that but increasing with speed. ALSO I should note that onceI've gone a few miles the sound decreases (but does NOT GO away)

 

Is it leaking from the front pinion seal by chance?

 

Well looks like I may have found the problem. ... that collar around the rear yoke ...looks like there is some weeping around the whole area too...... can I just drop the ujoint and replace that sucker or do I have to open up the reAR diff?

 

Doesn't really look that bad.... aside from the rust.

Is there any side to side slop there?

 

96 Ram 1500 Club Cab, 5.2 4WD. I have 107,000 miles and my rear has always "howled". At around 50,000 miles, some mechanics began telling me that the rear was going bad and recommending I fix it. They would remark about the howling. And I will say it literally does howl sort of. Last year I was told there was a little play and they recommended fixing it. So how do I know how much play to be concerned with? Both u-joints had to be replaced between 90K and 100 K. (I think it was two). Is it back and forth is okay and side to side is bad?

 

The axles will move in and out a bit, and thats normal. The pinion will rotate a little bit before it starts influencing other parts, and that is normal. Any other movement is NOT, and should be addressed while its relatively cheap. If things go boom, it gets REALLY expensive.

 

Thanks. Will get under there and inspect tomorrow.