rear end axle play and noise

[rangerbanger]

just bought a 2000 ford ranger 4x4 last week and when i was going over a speed bum or any bump i would hear a clunk from my rear right tire.

took my wheels off and i would say i have about 3/16 to 1/4 of an inch of play in my rear axle shaft.
was wondering what to do to fix the clunking knocking sound coming from that tire,

also when going 50mph(and only 50mph) there is a humming coming from my rear diff. don't know if its in correlation to what i am hearing from the axle shaft

so thats why i came to my peers. got any answers or suggestions?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is the play in and out or up and down? In and out is probably OK. Clunking could also be spring bushings or shock bushings. Humming could be bearings.

 

[rangerbanger]

play is in and out but im more worried about the clunk,knocking sound going over speedbumbs.

 

[rangerbanger]

is it still safe to drive? should i worry about the wheel comming off?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Take a close look at the rubber bushings. There is one on the front of the spring and two for the rear spring shackles. Also two for the shocks. And if you have a sway bar the end links have bushings as well.

 

[Andy D]

Check the diff for lube. Jack the suspect wheel up 2 or 3 " put a bar under the tire and lift. If there is anything more than the smallest bit of play, then start shopping for axle bearings

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If you have disc brakes the axle cannot come out. As far as drum brake system, I'm not a guru with the rearends though so can't say positively that the wheel and axle wouldn't come off, but I think you should be OK as that amount of movement isn't to terrible in my experience. Hopefully some one with more experience will chime in.

 

[rangerbanger]

the sound is coming from the rear left tire if i take off my tire i can generate the same sound i am hearing from pushing my axle shaft in and out. would my diff be wearing? i think the problem is somewhere in the differential.

 

[Big Jim M]

Again! Have you stuck your finger into your rear end? First thing we need to know is the pumpkin full of the slick stuff.
Then the end play in the axle. FORGET ABOUT IT! It is normal.
The clunk could be the things already posted. Could even be a tail pipe.
Some gear noise in a 15 year old vehicle is to be considered normal.
Big Jim

 

[4x4junkie]

The axle end play is caused by worn clutches inside a limited-slip differential. Rebuilding the L/S diff should take care of it.

Not sure on the humming... Could be a bearing, could be a u-joint (diagnosing noises as text over the internet is difficult).

 

[Big Jim M]

Hmmm!

The axle end play is caused by worn clutches inside a limited-slip differential. Rebuilding the L/S diff should take care of it.

Not sure on the humming... Could be a bearing, could be a u-joint (diagnosing noises as text over the internet is difficult).

Are you sure and certain about that?
Big Jim

 

[4x4junkie]

Very.

As the L/S clutches wear thinner, the side gear moves away from the cross pin which opens up more clearance between where the axle & C-clip rest inside the side gear and the cross pin. Result = more axle end play. Eventually the gear hits bottom inside the carrier (this prevents the gear from moving so far over that the c-clip falls out) and at this point the L/S function of the diff is rendered ineffective.