rear end Noise!! Help

[sn8kez]

So bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 5.9 2wd. Owned it for a week now. Drove home and for past week drove good. No issues beside minor cosmetics. Yesterday while driving started hearing a Cling cling sound on take off. Sounded metal to metal. Think my son and I pin pointed it to rear passenger side. Took it easy going home. Removed tire put my hands on tire studs and twisted quickly left and right. Doing so I heard cling cling. Slight play. (is this normal?)-- put tire back on. Today loaded trailer on truck headed down street and noise was getting worse. Again turned around and removed trailer took for another test drive. At this point while driving ass end felt like a slight drift from side to side. So now I'm thinking its axles. Got back home and started removing the necessary things to remove axles. Got axles out and there's bare at the neck of them. I don't think this is normal. So I've ordered axles,bearings,races and putting back together tomorrow. My worry is.... Am I replacing the right thing? When I was inspecting the differential there was slight movement in the ring gear..is this normal?

Sorry for the long story- but to help diagnose the problem I know more info is better. Thanks in advance for help.

I hope it posted. Below is pic of axles.

 

[Rustycowl69]

So bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 5.9 2wd.

Got back home and started removing the necessary things to remove axles. Got axles out and there's bare at the neck of them. I don't think this is normal.

what does "bare at the neck of them" mean?

There is always a little play in the gears, it's called backlash. It is part of the setup of the ring gear/ pinion clearance. Whether it is too much, unless it is obviously too much, is why you measure it with a dual indicator.

 

[Rustycowl69]

So bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 5.9 2wd.

Got back home and started removing the necessary things to remove axles. Got axles out and there's bare at the neck of them. I don't think this .

what does "bare at the neck of them" mean?

There is always a little play in the gears, it's called backlash. It is part of the setup of the ring gear/ pinion clearance. Whether it is too much, unless it is obviously too much, is why you measure it with a dual indicator.

 

[GoldDot]

I think your axles are fine. I would look into your parking brakes being 100%. A clip/spring that is loose will do exactly that.

 

[Jimmy68]

I've had bad u-joints go ping on acceleration.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I would definately check u-joints first. Put rear end on jack stands and put it in gear and listen.
The axles look fine.
Since you already have in torn apart, how are the bearings?

 

[sn8kez]

Replaced bearings and seals today and put back together. While apart checked ring/pinion gear and spider gear. All looked to be in great condition. No visible wear. Removed driveshaft from yoke and checked to see if there was any play in pinion gear/yoke and was tight. Bolt was tight. Checked u joints and they were good as well. While jacked up had wife rotate tire and sounded to me as if noise might be coming from transmission now that I'm able to get a better listen.

 

[sn8kez]

Parking brake was in good condition as well-all springs were in tact.