So I have a sound coming form the right rear of the car. i thought it was just the brakes or something, but I pulled the wheel and the brakes look fine. With the car jacked up and I move the wheel there seems to be a lot of play at the diff end. The axle at the diff end feels a bit loose to me. Any ideas??

 

wheel bearings

 

The wheel doesnt have a dif end...your post is confusing.

Can you feel play in the wheel itself?

 

The play is when you roll the wheel forward or backward. There seems to be a lot of play before there is engagment with the diff.

 

If it's a high-pitched squeal, and it continually gets worse, bet it's the bearings. Some VERY good write-ups in here on it. Got me through it with no trouble at all.

 

You can check and see if it is the wheel bearing by jacking the car up and grabbing the wheel at the top and bottom and try to rock it in and out and see if there is any play or you can grab the sides and do the same thing but only on the sides if it the rear, if it is the front you must do top and bottom since the wheel would try and turn if you grab the sides. If you do have play in the wheel (like the lug nuts would be loose) then its the bearing.

 

I think the play you are looking at is normal.

 

I still have the noise. It seems to come and go, strange! It sounds like a brake is dragging or something but more metallic.

 

I have the exact same sound! Just how I would describe it. Still not sure, but a friend who is a mechanic said he thought it was a bearing in the diff (had the car lifted up). Going to take it to a workshop next week. I'll just drive my bike a few days until I find out for sure..

 

i had a similar sound on my S and was the tail shaft bearings in the transmission..