clunk/rattle in drivetrain

the other day i hit the brakes really hard.then there was a clunking noise that sounds like a loose rear wheel but its not.its a 4wd s-10 2001 with 48k & rear disk.the brakes are well worn so i will replace them though i never heard a noise like that could it be a wheel bearing,the universals seem tight & there is almost an 1/8 turn play in the rear/tran which is almost the same as my brothers truck but his as 8k on it.any suggestions i am baffled thanks for the help it is random on/off at different speeds under accel & under braking though i seem to get a bigger clunk when the brake first gets applied

Mine did this the other day(while it was still mobile)when the brakes were applied.I just thought it was the brake grabbing?My driveshaft also has play in it like you mentioned.

There should be no play in your driveline.

The clunking could have been many things.

Does it happen all the time or just that once?

its happens intermediatly its an on/off problem but it is steadily getting worse.sounds like there is 2 pieces of metal in the tire just bouncing around then it will go away for a mile or so then its back.i just can't figure it out.i am doing brakes ,rotors for sure & calipers if need be today i'll let you know

its happens intermediatly its an on/off problem but it is steadily getting worse.sounds like there is 2 pieces of metal in the tire just bouncing around then it will go away for a mile or so then its back.i just can't figure it out.i am doing brakes ,rotors for sure & calipers if need be today i'll let you know

Check your rear brakes for rotor scoring and lack of pad depth.

Also, the noise can be a cat convertor rattling, a sign a replacement is needed.

Also, the U-joints could be shot.

Does the truck rumble a bit at higher speeds and can you feel a vibration in the gas pedal?

no vibration in pedals it sounds like a pair of jeans in the dryer with a belt buckle on the but it happens randomly at different speeds.i replaces the rear brakes & rotor the emergency brake set-up scares me it is loose & flimsy in there its only held in place by one clip.it seemed to quiet down a little after i did the brakes.but came back when she slammed them on again today.its makes noise for a mile then it stops for a mile can't fiqure it out

Aha!

You are going through what I just replaced.

Rear U-joint was shot and sounded just liek that.

The rear joint was dry and friggin shitty as hell, when he showed it to me I also dropped my jaw on the floor.

It was just THAT bad.

update!! guys n gals the kluck/grinding noise wich it became was the front rt wheel bearing i replaced the rear first, that was't it .then i let a mechanic drive it he said the noise travels in 4wd models & its hard to tell where its coming from so today i changed the one & that was it thanks for your help everybody

update!! guys n gals the kluck/grinding noise wich it became was the front rt wheel bearing i replaced the rear first, that was't it .then i let a mechanic drive it he said the noise travels in 4wd models & its hard to tell where its coming from so today i changed the one & that was it thanks for your help everybody

You said the noise was coming from the back though?

Good to know and something to keep in the back of my mind for noises. BTW. you will have about 1/8 a turn of slop in the drivetrain from the wheels to the trany. Think about all the gears you are going through to get there with a 4x4 and each one will have a small amount of slop. That adds up.

it sounded like the back.the guy said its decieving with 4wd, it travels through the drive train causing a surround sound effect.believe me do you think i would have laid in a puddle for 5 hrs changing rear bearings if i knew it was the front.ITs that decieving

the other day i hit the brakes really hard.then there was a clunking noise that sounds like a loose rear wheel but its not.its a 4wd s-10 2001 with 48k & rear disk.the brakes are well worn so i will replace them though i never heard a noise like that could it be a wheel bearing,the universals seem tight & there is almost an 1/8 turn play in the rear/tran which is almost the same as my brothers truck but his as 8k on it.any suggestions i am baffled thanks for the help it is random on/off at different speeds under accel & under braking though i seem to get a bigger clunk when the brake first gets applied
I'm having the same problem on my 1990 have you figured it out ?

When you hear that clunk from the rear and you know your rear and tranny are ok, it typically denotes AXEL-WRAP. What happenes is that your rear springs twist and then untwist do do force... Only real solution is to put in new springs and a swaybar

update!! guys n gals the kluck/grinding noise wich it became was the front rt wheel bearing i replaced the rear first, that was't it .then i let a mechanic drive it he said the noise travels in 4wd models & its hard to tell where its coming from so today i changed the one & that was it thanks for your help everybody
so where was the problem?

so where was the problem?

Did you read his post?

it was the front bearing it almost sounds like it is coming from the trans or transfer case.take the truck on a vacant road & sway hard from side to side if it seems to get louder from one side to the other its the front bearing where the noise is loudist when the weight is on that side it will almost seem like it goes from left to right