Rear wheel play in and out - source of clunk?

[Javie]

Been chasing a clunk/knock that happens when turning from rear. Jacked truck up to go look for loose suspension/bushing/etc and have the wheel a tug in and out. Seems like there shouldn’t be play like I found. Could this be the source of my clunk? is this normal?

what is the cause and solution? Thanks TYF!
Rear wheel:

I had the same issue couple years ago. Turned out it had something to do with a broken gear in the differential.

 

[treehan77]

How did you diagnose the broken gear? How much was it to fix? Details please!

 

[treehan77]

Looks like I’ll be pulling the drive shafts and inspecting those and the c clips u less somebody has a better idea

 

[Erickk120]

You might be onto something, and worse case scenario you have new gear oil! While I performed that test, I do have a clunk that gets absorbed by the brakes, and little end play. Yours sounds meaty, unlike mine. Lets us know what you find, and check things through.

 

[Chris2144]

I think pulling the cover and inspecting your whole rear axle is the right thing to do. No matter what is causing the end play ex side gear c clip or carrier bearing you don't want any part there failing and causing the axle to slide out. It happened to me before. It can be deadly in the right circumstances. Mine was with a drum brake which is much easier to slide out. Our vehicles have calipers which would hold it in in most cases but still cause significant damage. Either way check it.

 

[asand]

Probably a worn c- clip. There are three thicknesses available. You might be able to just flip it to swap the thrust surfaces between the side gear and the axleshaft.

 

[treehan77]

Can you tell me the thicknesses and where to get them? They should be cheap enough to replace! I only ever find one listed (and it does t say the size)

 

[PG01]

Can you tell me the thicknesses and where to get them? They should be cheap enough to replace! I only ever find one listed (and it does t say the size)

Google

 

[Erickk120]

Go to any parts store they carry 2 diff sizes. Buy 2 packs, as they come as a pair with different thickness.

 

[treehan77]

Sounds good. My next question is:
Wouldnt there be a REASON the c clip wore out in the first place? Like a bad bearing, or are they truly a wear item themselves

 

[Scottydoggs]

depending on your miles, and if your the original owner from new, the rear end may have been rebuilt before and they used the new wrong thickness clips. hard say what a used car/trucks been through before you got it.

 

[treehan77]

Gonna remove the cover friday to see if gears are destroyed. If they look good, I guess on to removing the brakes to take out the c clips. Looks like if that’s the case, installing a true trac is the best option. My best guess is clutch pack are worn, which allows the axle to go in further. Got 2 packs of the dorman c clips to try anyway.

 

[asand]

My gov-loc was working fine, the c-clips were wore from age. Every corner you take puts a load on the c-clips as they are a thrust bearing of sorts. A true track will re-use your old c-clips btw.

 

[treehan77]

So replacing the c clips cured your knock noise? That’s encouraging if that’s what you mean

 

[asand]

If you look at the pictures c-clips you'll see that the wear is near the outer edge. This is the surface that runs against the side gear. The axle runs on the inner edge on the opposite side of the c-clip. Flip the clip and you'll have fresh thrust surfaces running on the hardened side gear and axle. This is what I did and should solve your sloppy rear.

 

[treehan77]

What picture?

 

[asand]

What picture?

Updated. Sorry

 

[treehan77]

Got some footage and pics after I removed the diff cover. The oil actually wasn’t black sludge, looked golden when it ran out. Maybe there wasn’t enough though...

anyway, what’s is the screeching noise when I turn the shaft? Normal?

should the center pin have play like that?

To my eye, everything looks good, no chewed up gears, no big chunks of metal anywhere.

Good bit of metal “sand” attached to the magnet, but doesn’t seem ridiculous.

Still waiting on the c clips to arrive before I pull the axles...

 

[SnowDrifter]

Only one pic attached for me

 

[Scottydoggs]

hes got 3 vids and one pic posted. at least thats what i see.