noisy rearend

I believe the rearend of my 99 dodge ram is going out. It makes clunking noises when starting off. Its worse if I'm stopped at a light and then accelerate into a left hand turn. Noise stops after about 100 feet.
Any idea's as to which gears may be going bad or could it be a rear universal joint?

Hopefully it's a u-joint as that is much cheaper. It's easy to check. Just crawl under and grab the driveshaft at the end right before the u-joint. Try to move it up and down and side to side. If it moves, it is bad. Also try to rotate it while holding the yoke. If it rotates and the yoke doesn't, it is bad. Check the other end too. The grease in the ujoint eventually disappears causing the metal needle bearings to wear.

If that's not it, check your lug nuts. If one is loose it could make the noises your hearing.

Does either wheel cover feel hot after driving it for awhile?


Oh, and one sure fix for a noisy rearend... Quit eating beans.