97 Ranger rear axle noise

[John Forrey]

i am trying to solve a noise that occurs when driving over bumps. I have a 97 ranger, two wheel dr. I’ve replaced leaf spring bushings, trans mount bushing and sway bar bushings but still have the same clunks over bumps. I just now found out that if I stand along the bed at the rear wheel and rock the bed To and fro, I get a loud clunking noise from somewhere in or along the axle!? It sounds like how you would imagine it would sound if the lug nuts were loose, but they are nice and tight. Am I hearing something in the differential? Any help is much appreciated!

 

[RangerX]

Welcome, John.
Things I would check are shock bushings, a loose tailpipe, and if you have a supercab, the driveshaft carrier bearing.

 

[John Forrey]

I have new shocks new tires new brakes, standard cab. I took off the spare, did not make a difference. I’m going to look for other rangers to see if rocking them makes the same noise.