Rear wheels/axle move in and out

[Truestyle Scott]

I've had some weird sounds from the back of my escalade lately. When slowing down on the brakes from 10mph to zero I hear this on and off clunking from the back like brakes slapping or a lug nut rolling loose behind the center cap. Also a little on and off brake squeak but the pads and rotors are new. Today I raised the back passenger side and I can pretty easily move the whole wheel in and out about an 1/8th of an inch. Everything is tight lugs and brakes. The driver back wheel has slight movement if I try hard then if I keep shaking it in and out there's a louder thumping noise. Is all this normal? I greased my u joints in case they were getting noisy.

 

[Jason_S]

About an 1/8th of an inch is normal. the rear axles have c-clips and it takes that 1/8th inch of movement to move the axle in and clear the c-clip from the groove in the carrier in the differential.

Check your rear pads, there should be some clips to help keep the pads from rattling. That could sound similar to a rattling lug nut.

If your whole truck shakes when it makes this noise, I would still tend to think that a rotor is warped. It is not impossible that a new rotor is warped, I've seen it before. If you have a dial indicator, you could figure out pretty quick if it is warped. A clamp, some music wire and a feeler gauge can be turned into a serviceable alternative to a dial indicator if you cannot rent one from one of the chain parts houses.

 

[Truestyle Scott]

Cool thanks. Rules out my worries about my wheel bearings or axles. Yes i think i have brake issues then. I turned one rotor by hand and it gets tougher in one spot, must be warped already. And i didnt get the clips with those pads so i should look into those.