Need Help!! Groaning noise at all speed. Possible Carrier Bearing

I'm trying to diagnose the source of an annoying groaning noise. It happens at all speeds but is worst between 20 and 50. I have taken it to two dealers and the first blamed it on tires. The second refused to honor the warranty since it's lifted. I know it's not my tires because when I change to my winter tires it doesn't change. At first I thought it might be the needle bearing in the front diff but it doesn't go away or change when I put it in 4wd. I got under the truck to check the carrier bearing and there is a large amount of movement in the carrier. I would say it can move close to an inch in either direction.

How much play should be in the bearing and what is my best option to replace this if it's bad?

Background - I searched and it seems like this is too much play and that was my immediate feeling as well when I checked it. I also just changed the wheel bearing on the driver side and the passenger is all good.

It's a 2008 access can with 45000 miles on it.

Any help is appreciated
Thanks

 

If you can truly move the driveshaft near an inch, you've found a problem. It may be the issue at hand, or not, but it needs correcting either way. Replace it, and see what happens.

 

Try removing the rear driveshaft, and then put the truck in to 4x4.

Drive.

No sound = rear

Still there = Something probably in the front.

GL

 

Interesting. I might just try this. Seems like an easy way to eliminate some variables.

 

It's how I figured out my driveline problem


GL