im getting what sounds like a bearing noise coming from the rear of my truck. i changed out my u-joints (i could have screwed one of them up but im not sure) and i just changed my rear axle bearings. the noise is why i changed out all of that, but cant get to the bottom of it. is there anything else it could be?

 

Does it sound like a brake drum dragging? During load or coast? Mine's been doing that for a number of years (both). I figure it's the pinion bearings.

I jacked up the rear (axle on stands) and ran it in drive, watching the rear yoke. I noticed a small wobble. I think that my pinion shaft is bent. I keep waiting for the diff to gernade on me. You might try looking there.

 

you can hear it during a coast more... with my flowmasters you cant really hear too much more with my foot on the gas, but i think i can hear it. i just replaced the axle bearings last night and since i had the drums apart i replaced them also.
its a long story, one time while going off road down a less traveled trail, i drove my truck half way over a 4 ft cliff. the truck was basicly teetering on the drive shaft. my rear bumper was about 6 ft in the air. (sorry, no pictures) I never noticed any damage from it though. could the pinion shaft have gotten damaged then and gradually gotten worse over 2 years?

 

IIRC ... noise while coasting is the front bearing ... under load is the rear (both in the rear diff).

I just re-read my prior post ... mine SOUNDS like a brake drum is dragging ... it isn't. I'm almost certain it's the pinion shaft. How it happened? No idea.

I'd bet good money that you CAN bend something like that and have it gradually wear away at the bearings.

 

took your advice and check out the front... the ujoint in the front axle is shot. I'll replace it and post back...

can damage from the front axle sound like its coming from the rear?