# Clunking from the rear end

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 23, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183 "2013-03-23T14:32:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chap](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Chap)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183/1 "2013-03-23T14:32:54Z")

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I have a '95 Chevy 6.5 Turbo-Diesel Pickup. The past few days there has been a whining noise that went up and down with the speed of the vehicle. I decided to have it looked at this coming week when I have a day off but when I was driving home last night the whining stopped and was replaced with a clunking. It sounds like a pair of running shoes that have been thrown in a clothes dryer. When it clunks loudly there is a shake that can be felt through the floor and seat. I now have it parked until I can find out what is going on and if it is safe to drive to the mechanic or if I should have it towed.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183/2 "2013-03-23T14:48:59Z")

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Sounds like either a ujoint failure or rear axle bearing failure. At this point, it is **NOT** safe to drive.

On that truck, it is easy to see if it is a ujoint failure. Look under ter truck and just look at the joints. Grab the driveshaft, and try to shove it around. If it moves around, especially with tapping sounds, a joint has failed.

To check the axle bearings, you’ll need to jack up the truck to shove each of the rear tires around to find the bad one.

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**Author:** ![Chap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chap](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Chap)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183/3 "2013-03-23T15:12:05Z")

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Hi BK - Thanks for the info. Do you think there is any chance of it being the differential? One person at work suggested that as an idea when I was whining.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-from-the-rear-end/78183/4 "2013-03-23T15:39:18Z")

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Possible, but the ujoints and outer wheel bearings carry most of the load. However, if all the gear lube dropped out of the rear axle, it could totally be toast.