BlackMach1127

Okay, so I'm not exactly sure what's wrong with my car and I wanted to come here for some extra input. The rear, passenger side wheel on my car rattles while driving, even though the car is aligned and the tires are all balanced.
We jacked up the car and after inspecting the wheel, it has slight in and out movement.
After just discussing this mechanic told me I would be better off just replacing the whole differential, but what can cause this problem?

stevednmc

I would be inclined to think its a wheel bearing rather than a differential issue.

BlackMach1127

That was the first thing to come to mind, but the movement the tire had when the car was jacked up was basically only along the axle. Wouldn't a bad wheel bearing have some what of a "wiggle"? for lack of a better word

Old Mustanger

Definitely an outer axle bearing issue. The bearing is what captures the axle, any play in any direction means the axle bearing is failing.

stevednmc

I must have mis-read your op. Im with Old Mustanger here and would suggest axle bearing. I wouldnt say you'd need to throw out the whole differential though.

uberstang1

how much in and out play is there, with a c clip axle there will be a SLIGHT amount of in and out. I'm inclined to say if theres ALOT of play I think its beyond a bearing problem, if you ever worked on an 8.8 you have to realize with the center pin through the differential and the c clip in place it doesn't have alot of room to be able to move in and out bad bearing or not. I'm asuming by in and out u mean the whole wheel and axle slides in and out of the tube, if thats the case u need to take the diff cover off and inspect because alot of play can be a serious problem if u have a broke c clip or something to that extent as thats all that holds the wheel in place, if you are saying in and out play as in the wheel moves a little side to side or tilts up and down a bit then yes thats bearing related.

RMK01GT

^ +1 I would be thinking more on the lines of a worn out center pin. take the diff cover off and inspect it there should be NO play in the pin, if there is you need to replace the carrier. This pin has extreme loads on it when spinning your tires and it wears out the pin and the holes in the carrier.

broken c-clip would cause the axle to come completely out and a bad bearing would result in radial movement at the wheel...