9" Rear end noise

[steemin]

I am hearing a "clunking" type noise that seems to be coming from the rear of the car. I have had the car on a lift and made sure that nothing is loose back there. It seems that the noise is progressively getting worse.
While on the lift I rotated the driveshaft and the tires back and forth and there is some slop or play in the rear end. (U joints are solid no play there)
I am not sure how much play I should have?

The noise only occurs when the rear end is not under any kind of load.
During acceleration or under decceleration no noise at all.
But when the car is coasting (no load) without the engine pulling the car up to speed or pulling the car down from speed the noise occurs.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Scott

 

[jmlay71]

Sounds like the gears have worn enough to change distance between the pinion & ring gear. Sounds like you need to pull the center section & take a look at the gears & measure the slop with a dial indicator. The fix many be as simple as adjusting the ring gear position a few .001.

Mike

 

[steemin]

Mike,
Thanks for the response.
I just talked to a local guy that has a shop.
He will let me work with him on my car

He believes that it might be a wheel bearing going bad.
I am taking the car to his shop Tuesday I will keep you posted.
Scott