Axle play I would almost deftinately say you have a problem with both rear bearings, you shouldnt have any play in the rear wheels, do you know the history of the axle? I would just throw a new one on each side because they aint exactly a fortune. Most axles are retained by either a bearing plate at the brake drum end or c clips in the diff, either way you shouldnt have any movement in and out, if you do its probs because you have a retaining plate that holds the outer part of the bearing in the casing and your bearing has major play in it, this means the axle with the inner bearing can move depending on how much wear you have. If you have retainer plates you will have to undo the bolts/nuts and possibly have to use a slide hammer to withdraw the shaft and bearings. There is a way to change the bearings without a press but unless your a bit tasty with hand tools, i wouldnt give you any advice on how to do it. Failure can lead to some serious damage to the shafts so best find a press and do it the easy way.
'Sat in the bed while the wife was driving'!!!!!!!!!!!!! are you insane????? Brit - unlike you, he didn't wrap his wife in a quilt and bury her in the back yard. She probably even likes him!
Good deal Well Brit, as I see it, the next time the wife gets to ride with me in the truck, and the bearing noise is no longer louder than her voice, SHE gets to sit in the bed......
