Rear end banging

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Jan 16, 2015 | 09:48 AM

E.Murray

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Rear end banging

I have a 97 F150 XL 2WD with 140k miles that's about as basic as they come. For the last couple days, there's been a subtle vibration I can feel through the floor board that increases with speed and is independent of braking or gas pedal. Yesterday, it got much more noticeable. I crawled under it while my son rocked it from side-to-side and the noise is coming from the pumpkin. This morning, I started to work and in the first couple miles it got much louder. I turned around and parked it. Sounds like the rear end has somebody beating on it with a sledge hammer. I'm guessing it's toast and I need to start calling salvage yards. Any advice?
Thanks.

Jan 16, 2015 | 01:35 PM

ZachManXLT

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Did you check your u bolts and make sure they were tightened?

Jan 16, 2015 | 01:36 PM

E.Murray

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They are good and snug.

Jan 16, 2015 | 05:04 PM

steve(ill)

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grab the drive shaft and try to wiggle the pinion shaft ( pumpkin input shaft).... probably the bearings are going bad......... Can be rebuilt, or just replace entire rear end as you said.

Jan 17, 2015 | 10:54 AM

E.Murray

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Yep, I can wiggle it. I pulled the diff cover and the oil is clean. Everything else looks good. Should be able to just replace pinion bearing, right? Looks like it in the Chilton, anyway.