I have noticed a new noise that sounds like it's coming from the rear axle or the rear wheels. It happens at over 40 mph and gets worse as I increase the speed. I jacked up the rear of the truck to check the axle bearings and there is about an 1/8 of an inch of play on both sides. Is it a bad bearing or should I keep looking? Could it be something a lot simpler like just road noise. I checked the tire pressure and its where it should be. The noise started about 3 weeks ago and has not gotten ant worse. Any ideas?

 

Since the noise is coming from the rear it's the wheel bearing that's bad, my boyfriend had a similar issue with his pickup and once he got that fixed the noise was gone.

 

If the lugs are tight, you should have .002" inch on a ball bearing or roller bearing, so 1/8 inch, yes that's an issue.