Rear differential making noise... sometimes

[Ryry]

So I lifted my truck off the ground because i suspected I had an issue with my rear differential. And when I spin 1 wheel (right side) it makes a clicking noise. It doesn’t happen while I drive though. What do y’all think it could be? (4.10 ratio/open differential)

 

[Curious Hound]

Are you sure the noise is coming from the differential and not the wheel? Does it happen when you spin the wheel in the other direction?

 

[Ryry]

Are you sure the noise is coming from the differential and not the wheel? Does it happen when you spin the wheel in the other direction?

Well I’m able to spin both wheels freely in any direction I want at the same time. Sometimes it grabs and spins the other wheel, sometimes it doesn’t (when it’s in neutral lifted off the ground), sometimes it grabs and the driveshaft spins too. But to answer your question, it happens in whatever direction I spin the tire.

 

[G8orFord]

U-joint?

 

[19Walt93]

It may be normal, when you spin one wheel it causes the differential side gears to walk around the spider gears because the ring gear is stationary. It wouldn't hurt to pull the rear cover and take a look, the fluid could stand being changed anyway.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Well I’m able to spin both wheels freely in any direction I want at the same time. Sometimes it grabs and spins the other wheel, sometimes it doesn’t (when it’s in neutral lifted off the ground), sometimes it grabs and the driveshaft spins too. But to answer your question, it happens in whatever direction I spin the tire.

Your wheels should only spin in two directions: clockwise and counterclockwise, on a plane parallel to a flat surface created by the sidewall of the tire. If they're spinning in any other direction, you have more problems than you thought you had.




























I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.

 

[Ryry]

U-joint?

Nope not U-Joints. Replaced those

 

[McWillies]

Have you checked the brakes? Spring might've popped loose. Otherwise I'd say pull the wheel off and spin the hub by itself, bearing could be going out and it gets mad when the weight of tires are drooping down.