Rear end locked up

[Pootz22]

Back again, you guys were great help when I had my previous problem, I have another one. I have an '87 b2000 longbed with 42k on it someone gave me, I was driving on the highway and rear tire just locked up causing me to fishtale and slide to a stop on side of the highway. After the tow truck dropped the truck in my driveway I started it and tried to move it. It moved freely but makes a decent noise near middle of the bed to rear axle. I looked at rear brakes but they seem fine. Not sure where to start, thats where I need help. Would a bearing lock up the rear tires? If it did, would it still move? The way the trucks tires just locked up I would think the rear wheels wouldn't move when I got it home. Any ideas?

[oldgray]

Is the rear differential okay? If the noise is coming from the middle I'd check the oil in it.

[Pootz22]

Would the rear diff unlock? The noise seems to be coming from middle to rear of the bed, but more middle. It is a long bed truck.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

[oldgray]

Wow, this forum is a ghost town isn't it? Okay, mine's a longbed too and the drive shaft has a carrier bearing towards the middle of the truck. I don't know if that could seize and stop the wheels from turning. Besides, if the bearings were bad, they'd probably be screaming. Going back to your first post, was it 1 tire or both?