Rear Axle Question

[willsd676]

I just bought a used 2001 Ranger Edge 4x4. It has the 8.8" L/S 4.10 rear diff. It rides great, no noise at all on pavement. But while taking it on bumpy backroads I noticed a rattling sound coming from the rear of the truck. I have looked but can find no obvious sorce of the rattle. The only thing I did find is that when I jacked up the rear end and got the wheels off the ground I notice they have a little play in them, both an up and down movement and slight in and out movement. I do not hear the usual grinding noise from a bad bearing, so my question is could this movement be causing the rattle? Is it a bad bearing or something in the differential? I read that the c-clips are a weak point in this particular rear-end set-up, could it be them? I know its hard to diagnose a "rattle" but any info I could get would be helpful before I start tearing into this thing.

 

[willsd676]

I did read in another forum that the slight in and out movement is deemed "normal" for Ranger axles using the c-clips. I guess the up and down movement may be just a bad bearing? Anybody else hear the rattle from their Ranger? Is this also "normal?" I wouldn't think so but I would have bet the in and out wasn't either.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If the axle bearing is gone bad enough that there is up and down play in the shaft, the shaft is probably hooped as well. Slight in and out play is normal of a c clip axle.

 

[willsd676]

Thanks Sasquatch. Not great news, but its good to know what to look for.