CLUNK when taking up drive

[nawarne]

Hi!
I get a bit of a 'clunk' from the rear (possibly N/S)when letting the clutch in on pulling away. The noise is also apparent when coming off the accelerator and again when applying throttle. Most noticeable when in 1st & 2nd gears.

I've had the N/S road wheel off and noticed that the brake disc rotor is almost a 'sloppy' fit on the wheel studs (is this correct?). I replaced the wheel and tightened the wheel with an extension on the socket - seemed to cure it - only briefly though. Am I looking in the right area? When I moved the disc rotor, I sort of replicated the noise.

Should I be looking at diff? (no other noise though) or looking at the drive shafts?? Under steady throttle there is no vibration or noise - - just when taking up the drive.
Nick

[GreenV8S]

The brake disc is only clamped tight by the wheel and will be free to rattle around when the wheel is off, don't worry about that. It sounds as if you have got some backlash in the transmission. A small amount is normal, but excessive backlash suggests that something is worn or loose. The most likely candidates are diff mounting bushes, diff mounting bolts, driveshaft CVs, CV mounting bolts. If the problem is caused by knackered diff bushes or loose bolts then it is possible to do some very expensive damage to the diff casing, so be gentle with it until you've sorted the problem out.

[RedCabbage]

I assumed my clunk was diff bushes as they have never been done on my '94 car.

However now it is accompanied by vibration on initial acceleration/deceleration after long journeys or enthusiastic driving so I need to look at the diff bearings and propshaft UJ's as well.

[Seasider]

What Pete says


But i'll go for top rear diff bush or mount

[spend]

Seasider said:

What Pete says


But i'll go for top rear diff bush or mount

Your Bookie enjoys nice holidays I presume

Dave

[Ribol]

If it is only coming from the near side I would start by looking at the N/S shaft and hub.
After that I would look at any bushes that stop the wheel from moving backwards and forwards.

[nawarne]

Thanks for the replies gents.

Had a sneaking suspicion it might be diff or drive shaft related. Best get it up on some ramps then! How hard are the diff mountings/bushes/bolts to replace? - seem to remember that it is not uncommon for these to 'go'.

O/T - whilst poking around under the car tried to locate the earth points, with a view to a clean and silicone grease up. B***ered if I could see them!
Nick

[CaptiV8ted]

It may also be break on the lower wishbone where the rear anti roll bar drop links go through. The wishbones are notoriously weak at this point. Mine snapped a few weeks back and clonked like hell when taking up the drive - also free wheeling into right hand bends. 10 minutes welding sorted it. Have a check while your looking underneath.

Nick

[nawarne]

Hi Guys,
Thought a quick update would be good, as I see someone else has posted re: noises from the back.

Had the car up on the ramps today at the local garage. Yup! 3 out of the 4 diff bolts had gone. Been driving 'conservatively', (think the last one dropped off yesterday - heard a 'ping' off the exhaust) but it did put the willies up!! Thank God no damage to the diff or mountings.

What causes this then?

Nick

[V8 Animal]

nawarne said:

Hi Guys,
Thought a quick update would be good, as I see someone else has posted re: noises from the back.

Had the car up on the ramps today at the local garage. Yup! 3 out of the 4 diff bolts had gone. Been driving 'conservatively', (think the last one dropped off yesterday - heard a 'ping' off the exhaust) but it did put the willies up!! Thank God no damage to the diff or mountings.

What causes this then?

When i replaced mine i used loctite aswell as a tourqe wrench i did find them hard to tighten up as the diff spins at the same time.
V8 Animal

Nick