Rear wheels moving in & out.

[eightbanger]

Had new rear tires fitted on my Truck today, the guy calls me over, and showed me when he pulled IN and OUT on the tire he got about 1/4 inch of movement. It made a real obvious clunk in & clunk out....he asked if I'd noticed anything while driving it, I told him the truck does feel like it shifts slightly at the rear on corners...so this must be why, so can I just tighten the nuts on the end of the axles to eliminate this? or is this a deeper issue?
Thanks.

[fastwillie 696969]

when was the last time the wheel bearings were repack grease ?

[DREAMS OF A 67]

The rear axles are held in by C-clips on the inside of the diff. housing. It is normal to have a little in and out movement. I wouldn't worry.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by fastwillie 696969

when was the last time the wheel bearings were repack grease ?

Not in the 3 yrs I 've owned the truck, god only knows when before that...how easy or difficult a job is it to repack with grease?

[fastwillie 696969]

Originally Posted by eightbanger

Not in the 3 yrs I 've owned the truck, god only knows when before that...how easy or difficult a job is it to repack with grease?

my bad its rear wheels i was thinking fronts ,repack wheel bearings on the rear i should be shot

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by DREAMS OF A 67

The rear axles are held in by C-clips on the inside of the diff. housing. It is normal to have a little in and out movement. I wouldn't worry.

Joe, how much movement would be normal? it was clunking in & out

Originally Posted by fastwillie 696969

my bad its rear wheels i was thinking fronts ,repack wheel bearings on the rear i should be shot

No biggy mate thanks for trying to help.

[68gmsee]

If you can feel the rear end shifting or making noise when you drive around, then it's probably something you may want to check. A small amount of play is okay but if you feel uncomfortable with it then you're going worry until you check it so you may as well do it.

It's easy enough to pull the rear cover. And, while you have it off clean it, check the c clips and replace the lube.

[yuccales]

You used to be able to get thicker c-clips from GM. Sure someone will chime in and let you know where to get them now.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

If you can feel the rear end shifting or making noise when you drive around, then it's probably something you may want to check. A small amount of play is okay but if you feel uncomfortable with it then you're going worry until you check it so you may as well do it.

It's easy enough to pull the rear cover. And, while you have it off clean it, check the c clips and replace the lube.

It is worring me, had DS trouble a while back so had the cover off then and replaced the oil, if im honest there is a faint noise from the rear end & now this...my gut is telling me there's a rebuild comming.

Originally Posted by yuccales

You used to be able to get thicker c-clips from GM. Sure someone will chime in and let you know where to get them now.

I should have mentioned that it is a posi, not that that should make any difference.
Are the C clips easy to pull? I mean, is it like a complete tear down to get at em?

[DREAMS OF A 67]

I would say no more than 1/4"

[Daves70]

It could also be your track bar bushings. Have someone "ROCK" the truck side to side and see if there is play in the bushings on the end of the track bar.If there is replace the bushings.Real cheap and easy.

[DREAMS OF A 67]

or trailing arm bushings.

[tcb-1]

Nigel,
Check those c clips mate!!

[LONGHAIR]

There should be some movement there, but a quater inch is quite a bit. It is possible that the C-clips, axle ends, nd/or center pin all have some wear on them. All of it adding up to excessive movement. I would pull the cover off and have a look. It needs new lube anyway, the inside of the differential is one of the most ignored things on any car/truck.


BTW, there are rear ends with adjustable (tapered) wheel bearings, just not on half ton trucks. They are full-floater style.

[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by Daves70

It could also be your track bar bushings. Have someone "ROCK" the truck side to side and see if there is play in the bushings on the end of the track bar.If there is replace the bushings.Real cheap and easy.

I would check this first.You can check just by getting under the truck and seeing how much play is in the "Panhard" or track bar.

This is a case of "When you hear hoofbeats,it's highly unlikely that you will find a Unicorn". Meaning check the most obvious (orsimplest) ones first.