Got a new one for me. 52 1/2 ton, older torque tube rear end has Huck type brakes. Earlier I put in a new Okie bushing along with a new U-joint and bushings. Was how I found out the torque tube is an early version. Drove it for almost a year. Worked great. I have some slop in the drive shaft but I believed that was from old age and wear. No noise from the gears and no vibration. Took it out on an errand, less than 10 miles round trip, Started clunking. Was no different with the clutch in or out. Was not related to the engine RPM. I thought, I had left something loose inside the ball. Home at a very slow speed. No change in the clunk. It did not get worse and it did not go away. So I put it up on stands, slid under and took the ball apart. All looked good. Straps are snug, bushings look good and transmission lube was every where. Drained a bit when the ball slid back. Maybe a 1/2 cup or so. Slid the ball back closed it up and sat scratching my head. Started it up and listened as it idled in neutral. No noise. The driver side wheel was free wheeling just fine. I stopped it with my boot, expected the passenger side to spin as well. It did not. When I tried to turn it it would clunk a bit and stick. Shut the engine off, pulled the drum, and gear lube on every thing. Dropped the derby pulled the axle, changed the brakes, put in a new seal. Pulled the other drum and it got new shoes as well. Put it all back together. Started the truck, wheels were free wheeling and, no noise. Patted my self on the back set it down threw the dog in and went for a test spin. The clunk is back. But different. Now it clunks with the clutch engaged and quits when it is released.????Never had this before. Any ideas?
