HI everyone, I am new to this forum and I was driving my 96 Blazer(4x4) in the snow here in portland Oregon all of a sudden I am hearing a thud/ scraping sound sound every wheel rotation(it seems to be louder inside the cab then it outside, I opend the door while going down a street and barley could hear it. but its loud while inside the cab) on the drivers side rear wheel, it still spins and drives but it seems the sound is getting worse and worse, I am thinking maybe u-joint or maybe axle?? I havent had any problems with this great truck and I am getting concerned. does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? This morning I took it out of 4wd and put it in reverse to make sure both wheels were able to move, while in reverse without giving it gas and just letting the engine move the wheels on there own(automatic) it would spin(slip on the ice without moving the truck) I could hear the clunk each rotation and it seemed that the car would kind of jerk to the side when it made the sound. to sorry I am so vauge but this is the best description I could give, lol

 

Sounds like you will want to get the back end up in the air and inspect the rear axle. You may even want to remove the cover and have a look inside.

 

remove the diff. cover? I got under it and took a look and everything seemed to be in order. but I guess you cant really tell just by looking at it. I just wanted have a better idea of whats I need to replace.

 

I'd leave removing the diff cover until your certain the noise is coming from there. I'd put the rear end on jack stands, block the front wheels and maybe have someone sit inside the truck (for safety) and let the truck run, in drive and isolate where the noise is coming from. Someone, if not you, if going to have to at least locate where the noise is coming from before anyone can really help give you an idea of what may need to be repaired, or how much it might cost to fix. You might get lucky and have a rock or debris stuck somewhere, especially if it happened all of a sudden like you say. Good luck.

 

its snowing alot here and man-holes get a buch of ice on them and build up and its like hitting a speed bump at 30mph, I was thinking maybe that damaged something, when the snow clears i'll have a better look.