When driving there is a cracking sound coming from the driver's side rear?

Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE MAGNUM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
At 10/12 MPH there's a metal cracking sound coming from driver's side rear (popping) only at 10/12 MPH then it stops! Also, some weird sounds coming from underneath the rear with a little vibration. I'm thinking it's the u joints, what do you think?
Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 AT 9:53 AM

35 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,615 POSTS
Yes, it could be the U joints, but I would also check to see if the wheel is tight. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/wheel-removal-and-re-installation

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Friday, June 23rd, 2023 AT 11:20 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
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  • 83 POSTS
It's not a loose wheel! When I put it in D then R it clunks. I will try to get you a video!
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Friday, June 23rd, 2023 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
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I really want to know if there is a way to change the u joints and not have to re-balance the drive shaft and if so, how with regular tools?
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Friday, June 23rd, 2023 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds like a U joint or rubber coupler issue, can you get underneath to look for rust colored dust around the U joint ( center this is proof the U joint has gone bad. Or check out the rubber couplers at the front and rear of the shaft. You don't have to get the shaft balanced when doing the work, you can replace the couplers with normal tools, but the U joint will need to be pressed in and out. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Saturday, June 24th, 2023 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I did the looking at the u-joint there's no red dust or play but I can move the drive shaft an inch or so in either direction in the middle by the carrier bearing is that normal? It's not but a few months old! Which way is the bearing supposed to face?
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Saturday, June 24th, 2023 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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No, you should not be able to move the drive shaft that much. It sounds like you need a carrier bearing and mount. Here is how the job is done and you can inspect the couplers as well. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2023 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I went and bought a new carrier bearing today and had my exhaust off and grabbed the new bearing to make sure it matched. The darn thing was broken straight out of the box! The one I'm replacing 2 months old! Is there anything America makes now a days?
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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I am sorry to hear that. It happens. I forgot to mention to mark the shaft so you can put it together the same way it came apart.
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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
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And also, there's a 180 out and 180 infor the shaft going back into itself. But you still haven't said which way the carrier bearing is to face so that it's not backwards?
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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you upload images of what you are talking about?
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Okay, I put in a new driveshaft (front and back) u-joints and still have that cracking sound coming from the driver's side rear! I put new half axles in the rear and checked the differential fluid, it's good. No leaks. My drives shaft is in phase, but it looks like my drive shaft is misaligned with the rear end making both of them not in line with the transmission. My question is would all that make it look like my rear springs are crooked or bent at an angle?
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Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If the carrier bearing is on backwards, it will cause this problem. Can you tell if you reversed it the driveline would line up correctly?
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Monday, July 3rd, 2023 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
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It kind of looks like it would but then it would be backwards!
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Monday, July 3rd, 2023 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Does it matter which way it faces the center bearing? Because it looks like it would be straighter facing the opposite way? To push it over the other way would be straighter but then that would be backwards? So my differential is out of angle, right? I will take pics.
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Monday, July 3rd, 2023 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Okay, one last question! If the yokes are supposed to be in the same position, that would have to be a different car/truck altogether! It would be impossible to get this one both in the same position! It just won't happen! Happy 4th
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Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like it might be, I don't see any images of the problem though. The driveline should line up with the couplers and yokes.
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Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I took the carrier bearing off and turned it around and the vibration is just about gone! So now it's turned backwards but I'm still getting that cracking sound at low MPH until it shifts to second gear! If I give it heavy throttle it doesn't do it just at low speed, something isn't right, correct?
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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
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Hey Ken,

Do you think this driveshaft problem I've been having can cause an incorrect gear ratio? I just got one for second gear was going fine I turned around and it started jerking when into limp mode! You know that big skinny nut in the tail shaft where the drive shaft goes to the transmission? The other day I took the shaft out and noticed it was really loose is I tried tightening it up tighter than it was but don't know if it stayed or not, but could that be the problem? Thanks
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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I need images to see what you are talking about. For the limp mode problem can you please start a new thread?

Sorry we only handle one problem per thread, please post your new question here, you must be logged in:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, July 7th, 2023 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
WILLIE HURLOCKER
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Hey Ken, I got you some pics. The last 2 pics is the rear bushing (lower on the subframe) could that make my rear end out of angle like putting a different pitch to the pumpkin causing the cracking/popping sounds?
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Friday, July 7th, 2023 AT 7:52 PM

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