So after my 400 mile trip this weekend we pulled into town and after leaving a stop light i heard a clunk sound when i got on the gas. but when i kick it into N or push the clutch in it stops. it only does it when there is tension from the motor. it is coming from the rear end sounds to be passenger side. after jacking it up and spinning the wheel by hand i could tell its making a clunk sound about every half revolution of the wheel. i pulled my axle shaft out and my wheel bearing has a lot of slop side to side. is this the start of a wheel bearing going out? normally to my knowledge when a wheel bearing goes out it wears the seals out and leaks gear oil. and or just locks up. does this make sense that it would be a wheel bearing? some major factors to consider are, i have 38s, spooled, 5:29s, and im thinking its the stock bearings. i hope all this is enough help. thanks.

 

have you checked your driveline for play? maybe its a bad u joint?

 

that was a thought too but my u joints seem tight. but calmly thinking now. there is a horrrrrrible vibration at 75 and up. either its the wheel bearing or the ujoint has me fooled, but they r tight.

 

big tires aren't made to be balanced for 70+ mph. In fact you should check the speed rating on the tire, chances are they aren't "made" to go above 60mph. U joints vibrate, squeel and clunk. wheel bearings tend to howl growl and make your wheel fall off. Jack up the rear end to take load off the wheel bearings then try to shake the tire up down and side to side. Look for play that way.

 

i checked it before i pulled the shaft. it really sounds like its coming from the axle i mean i could be wrong but i just dont see it being a u joint. they are very tight no slop at all. and with the shaft out and the studs on the ground shaft up i can grad the brake assembly and wiggle it side to side a fair amount

 

I'm not saying they're not bad as well. So you're saying it was a constant clunking and happened with the drive train in gear. Does it sound or feel rotational? maybe put axles back in put the rear up on jack stands, PROPERLY SECURE THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING and put it in gear. Have some one in the truck and have them be ready on the brakes. Put it in gear and listen/feel for the clunk. Maybe you can isolate it better than just the rear somewhere. Maybe 3rd member ?

 

That is definately a rear wheel bearing, that happened to me about two months ago.
You shouldn't have alot of play if you wiggle the backing plate, or the axel. The wheel bearing will cost you roughly 50 bucks.

 

ok well ill just do the wheel bearing while its out and go from there. thanks