my truck has a metal on metal clanking sound in the left front wheel area when coasting around 30mph it sounds like as if washers were bouncing around in the hub cap but there is nothing in there. i jacked the truck up and if you glab the left front tire on the top and bottom it has play in and out but no side to side play, ball joint? u-joint? hub bearing?

 

Check the u joints in your front drive shaft for ur 4 wheel drive. I just had a similar problem about a month ago. Sounded something like u are describing. Mine were toast, it only did it when I was coasting, not under acceleration. Good luck.

 

what about the play in the left front wheel?

 

Depending on how much play u have? I believe u can have a tiny bit of play, if it's a lot of play it's probably for sure your wheel bearing. Did u compare the play to the passenger side for reference? Just throwing out another easy thing to check while ur under there.

 

Another thing to check is the temp of ur center cap after a little drive, if it's real hot it's for sure your wheel bearing. I'm no expert, just trying to help if I can. Once again good luck.

 

Id say ball joints

 

well hopefully it is something simple, im taking it in to the dealer tomoro and i need the truck by friday afternoon.

 

it wound up being the u-joint on the left front axle shaft, the dealer replaced the whole hub assembly, axle shaft and hub bearing, no more noise!!!!