96 Tahoe 4wd and its FUBAR. A noise started coming out if the rear end and progressively got worse until one sunny day when a huge plunk came from the rear. Now at a low speed, once the truck rolls to a certain point there is a metal plunk and it is really loud. reminds me of a locker on a 4 wheel turning with acceleration. is this the rear diff, axle, transfer case??? it is not drivable at all

 

Welcome to the forum.

Does the noise occur once per wheel revolution (probably differential problem, e.g. broken ring gear tooth) or once per driveshaft revolution (probably U-joint problem)?

 

I agree with 73shark and would add worn sleeve yoke and/or mainshaft spline. Chevy U-joints are infamous for breaking (or at least that's been my experience)

 

it does occur once every revolution, and it just so happens that this problem came after i put 24" worth of rim on it. would the weight of the rims have anything to do with this? 305/35r24 Kumhos @ 45lbs ea. and 40-50#wheel, here is a couple of pics

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2010/dsc01171ma9.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/407/grad1023uq6.jpg

 

Every revolution of what? Driveshaft or wheel?

 

wheel, rear driver left

 

Not sure how the '96 Tahoe parking brake is set up but if it uses a shoe system inside the rotor hat, then it could be something as simple as a broken spring. Another possibility if it's just the driver side is a bad bearing. Otherwise look in the differential.[:'(]

 

that helps me alot and i appreciate it, this is my secondary car (project car) so i have not driven it since july of last year and now that i think about it i just replaced the rear shoes that same week. So i feel like i know where to take a look at this truck so i can get her ready for the spring, thanks alot. It must be a bearing, or that rear diff so i will keep you posted when i get it on a lift next week

 

Since you just did the rear brakes, I would check to make sure a spring didn't break or come loose before I went too deep into the mechanicals.