Hay guys,
It's been awhile since I last posted. About 4-6 months ago I replaced the rear shocks and exhaust, afterward I noticed a knocking who backing out or driving into the driveway. My driveway has a little dip for the draining of the street water. So I climbed under and started shaking things thinking that I left something loose. Nothing, Shocks good, exhaust very tight no leaks or nothing. Checked leaf springs, good. So today after getting back from a dive in the 19, as I walked into the house I grabbed the bedside and started rocking her back and fourth, well, there it was knock, knock, knock. Definitely coming fro the rear end. My question to ya'll is, are there bearing on the outer end of the axel the could be gooding bad or gone bad? Could there be some shims on the inside of the cradle that are worn? Before I rip into her, I thought I would reach out to the community...

Thanks,
RacerxV6..."Matt"

 

If your truck is anything like the second gens, the shock bolts need to be stupid tight, to be quiet...... I don't have a torque spec for 'em, but, would be interesting to find.

There ARE bearings at the outer end of the axles, but, if they were going bad, they tend to howl, not knock.

 

Ok, I will double check the shock bolts, I figured there were bearings at the outter but also looked at a spec and there are also inner bearings at the diff housing. I'll check and report back. thanks HeyYou !!!
shock bolt are 100 ft. lbs. and sock nuts are 40 ft lbs...just looked it up...

 

Pretty sure I torqued the rear shock bolts to at least 130.

axles are retained by C-clips in a groove in the ends of the axle shafts, located inside the middle of the differential carrier. The system has very very little to no play. If you have sideXside axle play, you have big safety problems. sincerely doubt it is your axle. If it was you would have lost a wheel or broken off brake calipers by now. Broken bits that can happen in the pumpkin that give a bit more play are worn cross pin or lsd clutch plates disintegrating. The bearings are preloaded tapered rollers, there is no play in them.

You replaced shocks and exhaust. Suggest go back and recheck your work.
- Torque those shock bolts and nuts to “stupid tight” level.
- look over the exhaust clamps and hangers for good clearance distances from frame and axle components. Ensure they are snug and rigid to prevent the exhaust from swinging around down there banging up against stuff.
- if you are shoving it side to side, you may be just hearing the tailgate knocking or maybe even have loose/broken box retaining bolts.

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