Drive train or tires? Noise troubleshoot

[69rangerman]

I've noticed after the first week of driving the rebuild that when I coast down from any speed that there is a droning, moaning, sound not unlike off road tires on the road. Today a metallic jingle was added to the noise under the same conditions.

It doesn't sound like it's inside the tranny or engine and there is no vibration. Not quite sure where to start troubleshooting since it only occurs when I'm driving.

Any ideas? I did have the driveshaft and tranny removed for the engine rebuild but put everything back with new seals, and a new driveshaft support bearing (2pc. driveshaft).

Thanks

[ICEMAN6166]

axle shaft bearing most likely. best to jack up the rear so its off the ground, if you can spin the tires and hear it you can get a better idea if its the axle or an internal bearing.if you have any in-out or up- down movement in the rear tire it would be the axle bearing.

[fordman]

the new jingle could be a dust shield on the third member.

[ICEMAN6166]

yes it could. i have had that happen before.

if it starts to howl real loud, be prepared to hear the rear end blow up. i still remember when that happened to my wife,she said it was making a little howl, all of a sudden it got real loud and freaked out the dog, next thing was the teeth giving way.raining real hard that day, i had to go lay underneath and remove the rear driveshaft so we could get home in front wheel drive.

[69rangerman]

Thanks guys. I messed around underneath tonight after work and the only thing I could find was that where the long rear shaft u-joints to the short pc before the (new)carrier bearing ..it would thunk up and down when I pushed from underneath like the joint was wore out.

I'll be on the road in the company truck all day tomorrow but will see if I can hear anything on the axle shafts Thursday or Friday.

How tuff for a first timer to replace the bearings?

[fordman]

they are pressed on. you can remove the axle pretty easy though. i read where some guys have replaced theres with no press. i don't know. i had mine pressed back on.

[ICEMAN6166]

i have had easy ones and some that i had to cut off (carefully). i always get them pressed on, the local auto parts has a press i can use.

[69rangerman]

So, if that's it I would take the axles out, take them in to NAPA? Autozone? and they could do this?

Thanks

[CH3NO2]

That jingle is most likely a dust shield.The front drive shaft has one on the rear of it covering the carrier bearing.The yoke on the rear end also has one.I chased that noise for a year until a friend rode in the truck & asked me why I don't fix that rattling dust shield.

[ICEMAN6166]

So, if that's it I would take the axles out, take them in to NAPA? Autozone? and they could do this?
Thanks

i dont know, the store i go to is owned by a friend, i would bet that any of the big box stores might not do it .i think NAPA would be the best choice, or could likely point you in the right direction.

[69rangerman]

Thanks, I'll jack up the rear this weekend and see if I can isolate it.

[fastEdsel]

If you pull out that much of the driveshaft to change the middle u-joint then you should also check the steady bearing and the rubber support around it. The dust shields can easily be just spot welded back into place. Just make sure it sits square against the yoke or it will wobble.