Rear End 'Clunk'

[TexasPettey]

I've got a clunk that has shown up recently. When in the car at any speed, I apply power and hear/feel a clunk from the rear. Remove the power, and I hear/feel the same clunk. I'm going to get into it this weekend. I've got a new tranny mount. Could it be the half-shafts? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SNKEBIT]

Check the actual mounts for the rear assy. Should be 4 of them. Try to tighten each one even if they look tight. I got one of the bolts to move about 1/16th of an inch and cured the problem.

 

[dave6666]

Boy, trying to describe clunks is like telling Mr. Spears not to swim naked in front of the cameras. However, a deep clunk would seem to me to be the rear end, like described above. A lighter more resilient clunk to be half shafts.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Check the actual mounts for the rear assy. Should be 4 of them. Try to tighten each one even if they look tight. I got one of the bolts to move about 1/16th of an inch and cured the problem.

What year? SNKEBIT is correct, check your rear diff. mounting bolts, especially the 2 on the top of the assembly, those are the 2 that were loose on my 2000, instant cure

 

[CROM]

My car has some play in the driveshaft...just a weeeeeeeee bit. This causes a clunk from time to time in low RPM situations shifting.

 

[Tom Sessions]

the 4 bolts that hold the diff in place all get tightened to 100 ft/lbs. Don't recall right off what the 2 bolts on the dog bone get tightened to.its less than 100.While your there check the bolts holding the half shafts to the diff and the hub at the wheels.These will work loose.Pay close attention to the ones on the drivers side of the diff and the passenger side at the hub.you will need a good 6 point 5/16 wrench to tighten them.alittle red locktite is a good idea as well.

 

[dave6666]

the 4 bolts that hold the diff in place all get tightened to 100 ft/lbs. Don't recall right off what the 2 bolts on the dog bone get tightened to.its less than 100.While your there check the bolts holding the half shafts to the diff and the hub at the wheels.These will work loose.Pay close attention to the ones on the drivers side of the diff and the passenger side at the hub.you will need a good 6 point 5/16 wrench to tighten them.alittle red locktite is a good idea as well.

I think the u-joint (half shaft and propeller shaft) screws are 8mm. If so, then 5/16 will be a wee bit snug. None the less, great post by Mr. Tom S.

 

[TexasPettey]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to dig in this Sat and report back after giving all the bolts a good torquing. I've got a '95. It sure is nice to have a service manual at times like these.

 

[PaViper]

my 02 had the same thing.....mine was the diff mounting bolts as described above, they seemed tight, but they were not tightened to specs

 

[CROM]

Hrmm, maybe I should do these as well. Hey Mr. Hemihead....how about a diff bolt torquing day over at your pad?