what would make a non limited slip rear end chatter

 

Nothing good.
Depending on the type of noise you are hearing, it could be a gear problem, a bearing problem a rear u-joint problem, etc.

 

its like a rattel every once in a while it just started today...how could i check for problems

 

it also seems like im sometimes hearing a noise from the rear end when hitting bumps like a rattel

 

Probably a U-joint.

 

Check the front leaf spring mounts. On both my early 90's trucks they were rusted out, and the first one the front of the leaf springs were resting against the bottom of the bed, and the back end would "chatter" on acceleration.

If that's not it, and it chatters consistently/regularly on acceleration or load you probably have a chipped or broken tooth in the axle and it skips whenever it comes around. Bad bearings typically don't chatter (unless they're so bad they're seized), they make a kind of "whirrrrr" noise if they're gone.

Jack up the back end of the truck, put it in neutral (be sure to chock the front wheels) and try spinning one rear wheel a few times. Shouldn't be too hard, and since your axle is a peg leg the other side will spin the opposite way at the same speed. If you feel a "jump" or "skip" a gear is chipped. If some spots are harder to turn than others, it could be a bad bearing.

Now jack up one wheel, with the other on the ground, tranny in neutral and try to spin the wheel again. It'll be harder but you should still be able to hand turn the wheel. If you hear anything from the driveshaft, or now you feel rough spots it's most likely a u-joint on it's way out.

 

thanks for the info guys.....it was the u joints they werent bad enuf to make my driveshaft feel loose but all the grease in the bearing caps were gone