Rear End Banging Noise

jusbecuz · December 14, 2016

I have an 04 3500 8.1 long bed crew cab 4x4 w/103,000 miles. When I apply the brakes and make a slow right turn, I get a loud bang noise from the back of the truck. It only happens a couple of times a month. It sounds like something is binding up then releasing and like something was heavy in the bed and fell. I've read about the slip yoke and rear diff, but it happens so infrequently I'm not sure if one of those is the issue. I'll be working on it Saturday, so looking for some ideas on what to look for, brakes, driveline, rear diff? I changed the rear diff fluid around 9k ago with mobile 1 75-90 synthetic if that matters, thanks.

Formulabruce · December 14, 2016

Looks like a disc brake single wheel rear. I am guessing that the "top hat" Rotor ( which is Also a Brake drum for the E Brake) has some E brake activity going on inside that Rotor. They can get gummed up, stick, etc. Can check the wheel bearing while you have it apart. I have had to do rear axle seals a couple times on these trucks ( 14 bolt Full Floater)

jusbecuz · December 14, 2016

Thank you for the detailed response, will definitely check that.

davester · December 14, 2016

Yeah, maybe look if there is any sign of oil on the backside of the disc brake, as that means the inner seal has failed, and then the parking brake shoes will be loaded with oil.

txab · December 14, 2016

Might be the G80 locker acting up.

sdeeter19555 · December 16, 2016

Might be the G80 locker acting up.

This was my thought as well...

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jusbecuz · December 16, 2016

Thanks for the ideas, I'll post back Saturday when I look at it. I did check the rear diff fluid and it's full, and did find a ball joint boot that's thrashed although I replaced it less than a year ago, perhaps it sounds like the rear but is the front?

jusbecuz · December 17, 2016

We'll I got it figured out and it ended up being the drive shaft center support bearing. It's shot and has a lot of movement. That will have to wait until Monday as it's a pressed bearing. I did get the brake fluid replaced, cleaned the maf and throttle body and put in new plugs and wires so the day wasn't a total losss lol.

Adrian17 · December 22, 2016

We'll I got it figured out and it ended up being the drive shaft center support bearing. It's shot and has a lot of movement. That will have to wait until Monday as it's a pressed bearing. I did get the brake fluid replaced, cleaned the maf and throttle body and put in new plugs and wires so the day wasn't a total losss lol.

Man was that a pain, i did mine yesterday and i ended up pressing the bearing to close to the drive shaft and not the actual drive shaft rubs the bearing housing/hanger. I might either take it off and bang it back, or fold the housing a bit so it wont rub it. Either way the bearing works.