Loose rear wheel bearings/camber question (for the experts)

[easnoddy]

Hey, a couple weeks ago I posted that I had a clunk coming from the rear of my truck every time I would turn and straighten out. The clunk occurs when the truck corrects to striaght-line travel.

A couple days ago I started trying to duplicate the sound while the vehicle is parked. I ended up pushing on the top of the tire and rocking the vehicle like this after a couple hard rocks, when the truck would rock back towards me it would make the same "clunk" sound. So my clunking sounds has something to do with the wheels in a turn going off-camber and then correcting.

A passer-by (who had more mechanical knowledge than me) saw me messing with the truck and came over. He heard the sound and said that it sounds like my rear wheel bearings could be loose.

My question is, does this sound like a reasonable cause for the clunk and if so what do I need to do to fix it? Can it be done by a weekend mechanic or do I need a professional to fix it.

Thanks, Eric

 

[Hartman]

Sounds more like a balljoint problem to me! Rear bearings almost never cause problems that I'm aware of.

 

[easnoddy]

But its only in the rear. What rear axle component could cause such a sound?

 

[Hartman]

Are you sure it's from the rear? If so, there is probably a problem with the gears in your axle. Pull the cover off and inspect the teeth.

 

[easnoddy]

But the sound is coming from the wheel area, not the differential. If you push on the top of the tire, when it springs back into place, you hear a "pop" or "clunk" come from the area around the tire. Almost like the brake drums are loose or something else is loose. I just need to take the tire off and see what's going on.

 

[Joey P]

My '94 did that too in the rear and I was told by my brother-in-law(big into fixing trucks and what not) that it was just the c-clip design in the rear axle. I Never had a problem with it like that. Only happened when I turned too. Might be that?

 

[easnoddy]

Joey, Maybe. I never noticed it until I did the shackles and new shocks in the back, but maybe you're right. I'll check it out more closely next weekend when I do my AAL lift, but thanks for the insight.

 

[Webster3]

I just did a search and saw this thread. My 94 is having the same issue right now if I am reading this thread correctly.

I heard a thunking noise, but I noticed mine by going over some whoops on a trail at slow speed. I shook the wheel and heard the noise, and thought the lug nuts were loose. When I realized that wasn't the case I knew I had a bigger problem.

I took the wheels off on the rear and pulled the drums off. When I grabbed the studs I was able to pull it back and forth (pushed it towards the center of the axle and away) and it would move about a 16th of an inch... but enough to make a good clunking sound. It was present on both sides.

So, I have heard a little about the c-clip design... that makes a lot of sense that it could be related to that. Anyone figure this out and know how to fix it??

Thanks!

Ed

 

[easnoddy]

I took the wheels off on the rear and pulled the drums off. When I grabbed the studs I was able to pull it back and forth (pushed it towards the center of the axle and away) and it would move about a 16th of an inch... but enough to make a good clunking sound. It was present on both sides.

So, I have heard a little about the c-clip design... that makes a lot of sense that it could be related to that. Anyone figure this out and know how to fix it??

That sounds like the same issue I'm having. I hadn't taken the wheels off yet, but it really sounds like it was around the drum assembly. It really seems like it happened after I put on the warrior shackles. I'll look into it a little further myself. Let me know if you discover potential causes.

 

[jimbo74]

that play is normal and there isnt really anything you can do about it on a live axle... if the c clip failed, your whole axleshaft would come out and the wheel and axle would fall off the car....

 

[Webster3]

that play is normal and there isnt really anything you can do about it on a live axle... if the c clip failed, your whole axleshaft would come out and the wheel and axle would fall off the car....

Well I guess that is my fear... is there any danger of the clip failing based on this symptom? I mean, I know it didn't do this before... this play is new. I know that play going clockwise and counterclockwise is normal, but are you sure it is normal for it to move back and forth like this?

Ed

 

[Webster3]

Update:

I spoke to a guy I work with who is a long time Mustang owner and drag racer. He's worked on more 8.8 rears than anyone I know. He said the 1/16 inch play in the 8.8 rear when pulling it in and out is totally normal.

He said that you never should hear it while driving, so he suggested I look elsewhere for my clunking sound... so when I get some time I'm going to look around. He suggested I check my universal joint, as the noise was most noticable while I drove over some whoops. We'll see I guess.

I don't quite have the same symptom as you EASNODDY, but maybe this info will help you.

Ed

 

[97BlackX5.0]

try this.... put your truck in neutral and set the ebrake and start pushing again.... i know the transfer case and the park mechanism in the tranny can make some noise.... i would say bad shock more than anything else though if it is coming from the rear... usually when a rear bearing goes bad the axle will start leaking oil near the ends of the axle from the excessive play.... the back and forth play is normal....id say a bad shock or a worn out sway bar link...

 

[slag]

I'm hedging my bet that its a slip yoke problem and that the sound is traveling to the wheel.

Try greasing your slip yoke and see if that helps.

 

[Webster3]

Great suggestions! I'm away until after Monday so I'm not going to get a chance to check for a few days. As soon as I do I'll post what I find.

If its a shock I'd be shocked... no pun intended... but I suppose that is possible. The slip yoke has been in need of a greasing for a long time.... it was strange... I had the thunk that went along with that problem but it went away after the lift was installed so I forgot about it.

The sway bar link is another thing that I'll check, and it wouldn't surprise me if its the cause either... this truck saw quite a bit of salt water and beach sand before I got it from my father.

Thanks!

Ed