2011 4x4, bad rear axle bearings?

[JJMaine]

I have been noticing a humming/howling noise while driving and it really to me, sounded like it was coming from the front but when I jacked the front up to check the wheels for play there was none at all.

When checking the rear wheels, I get clunking when pulling the wheel both side to side and up and down. On both sides. I noticed though that if I roll the wheel forward until it stops (truck in park with only one side jacked up) there is no play in the wheels. Is this bad axle bearings?

Ive changed plenty of wheel bearings, both the press in and hub kind but never rear axle bearings. I just don't want to go through all the work to replace the bearings if it is something else.

Its odd to me that if I roll the wheel (either rear wheel), forward or backward until it stops the play disappears? I'm sure the fact that my rear wheels have any play means something is wrong, I just want to tackle the right issue. Thanks!

 

[SenorNoob]

When you say axle bearings... Are you talking about at the wheel or in the differential?

Wheel bearings is kinda what this sounds like to me. They aren't particularly hard. Just be prepared for a broken cross pin bolt. Apparently they are almost always broken. And don't move the differential while things are apart. I wouldn't wanna try to put the side gears back in...

Some play straight in and out is normal IMO. Not much just enough to feel the moving sensation. Anything up/down or front/rear makes me thing wheel bearings are worn.

 

[JJMaine]

Yeah I mean wheel bearings, I just thought they were referred to as axle bearings in this case. It feels to me like every other bad wheel bearing I've felt besides the fact that when you roll the wheel till it stops (like putting the truck in park and it rolls ahead a bit) it takes all of the play out. I just figured that the wheel would have movement with a bad wheel bearing no matter the position of the wheel so I was wondering if it's a different issue? Maybe rolling the wheels ahead puts pressure on the axles and takes the play out of the bearings?

I've just never done these type before so I wanted to be damn sure it needs bearings before I take it all apart. Especially since I just changed my rear diff fluid lol. Never had a 4x4 truck or any truck for that matter so I assumed wheel bearings were just the hub type or worst case, the kind you have to press in yourself.

Hopefully I'll be okay to drive to work this week because it's my only vehicle. Also need time to order parts and find tools to buy/hopefully rent. No Motorcraft bearings on RockAuto, I guess the next best thing is Timkin?

 

[JJMaine]

When checking the front wheels for play (because when driving it def. sounds like the howling is coming from the front), I didn't notice any play but I did find that rolling the wheels made the cv axles click? Is this normal? Both sides clicked when spinning the wheels.

 

[SenorNoob]

Might wanna look at the boots on the CV axles. It depends on how much click whether it's normal or not. I tend to run CV axles on FWD until the car quits pulling, but that's jut me.

 

[JJMaine]

I see they sell inner and outer seals, dumb question but I want outer seals right?

 

[SenorNoob]

Inner and outer seals on a solid rear axle? I'm confused... Lemme do some sleuthing on RockAuto.

 

[JJMaine]

I got a screenshot, thanks for the help! Also, anything wrong with Timkin or Skf seals? They are $2 vs $10 each for OEM

 

[SenorNoob]

Ya got me on that one...