Forty Rear End Noise

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by bonesy

I'm tracking down a noise in a forty rear end. I'm getting a clunking and almost a grinding noise from the passanger side.

I'll pull the hub and check it out. But upon jacking up the car, I noticed the axle can move in and out laterally about a 1/16". Is that OK?

While I'm asking questions, how can you tell if the hub and or bearing is bad?

I've worked with many 9" rears, but this is my first banjo. Thanks in advance for your help.

I'd say you're on the right track with wheel bearing. You're gonna need a proper hub puller. Not cheap, but it's a must have. Get it pulled and the hub & bearing will tell the story. Don't just chuck the old housing if it's bad, there is a method to repair it: Turn down the bad surface and press fit a new bearing surface to it.

The 1/16" lateral play is normal and acceptable. With both wheels up, you might nail down the noise by hand turning one wheel and listen/feel.