Excessive Play in Rear Axle - Please help

[member11]

Hi all, I could really use your help. I still cannot figure this out without throwing parts at it. My '07 Expedition has excessive play in the rear axle. Truck has 208k miles and I'm pretty sure the suspension system is almost entirely original.

Mechanic said the wheel bearing is bad, but is that what's also causing the rear axle play? Or did the axle assembly damage the wheel bearing? If it's the latter, which part needs to be replaced? CV half shaft assembly?

Symptoms (LR = left rear)

• LOTs of axle play at the hub assembly (LR)
• Irritating squeaking noise at low speeds (LR) if the steering wheel isn't completely straight. Weirdly, this will temporarily go away.
• Creaking/groaning noise under load (rear) or when coming to a stop (brakes are fine)
• Clunk noise when shifting gears (mostly from reverse to drive)
• Bad wheel bearing (LR)
  
• Does not click when turning

Just replaced U-Joints. Did not solve the obnoxious squeaky squawk noise. Will replace wheel bearing next, but want to fix the axle issue (if not caused by the bearing) at the same time. This truck has been super expensive to maintain so I really don't want to keep throwing parts at it. I just want it to be safe to drive. It is in otherwise excellent condition.

 

[aagitch]

When you pull the wheal bearing/hub you should be able to check the left axle shaft at that time but I'm betting it's just the wheel bearing.

 

[bobmbx]

For your clunking when shifting into drive:

The rest of your symptoms sound like the bearing(s). IIRC, the rear bearings are press fit, so you'll need a press or have a shop do it.

 

[member11]

Thank you both! I really appreciate it. I'm scheduled to get the wheel bearing / hub assembly replaced Monday.

Will update this post afterward in case other users run into the same issue. Thanks again.

 

[member11]

Update, as promised: Replaced the wheel hub and cv half shaft assembly. The sound is gone, and hopefully it doesn't return.