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Had the truck at the dealer getting an oil change the other day and also said the truck had a clunking in the left front as well as what sounded like metal jingling in the left front as well. The dealer ended up fixing the tie rod which took care of the clunking. I guess they didn't take it for a spin because the jingling was still there. You only notice it on bumps. They said they looked at all the brake and suspension and steering components and everything looked tight. I pulled the left front tire off to look for myself and noticed that when I pulled on the outer axle shaft it had a lot of play in it. Seemed almost too much. I'm stuck on this one as the dealer came up with nothing besides the tie rod. Could a bad wheel bearing be the culprit as well. And has anyone replaced an outer axleshaft? Any help guys?
Your wheel bearing is probably fine. There is a needle bearing in there that the axle shaft runs in that is probably shot though and it probably has your outer axle shaft eaten up to. Also It could have damaged that vaccum seal but you will probably have to replace that anyway if you have to change the axleshaft. I just called the dealer about a friend's pickup that is doing the same thing and they told me you can't buy just the outer and the whole shaft is around $700 so, if yours doesn't wiggle to bad don't use it in 4wd much until you get it fixed and maybe that way you won't have to get a new shaft.