Clunk Clunk Clunk

[Ash R33]

Well i have a noice coming from the front end. It is within the drive train some where. Before i pull it all apart. Maybe someone could offer a good starting point.

Im thinking of putting it up on 4 axel stands and starting if up and letting the wheels spin to narrow it down abit. It is ok to do that?

[ofr57]

yes just make sure its stable an if it does come off the stands you have someone in the car to stop it

[just cruizin']

Does it only do it when in 4WD could be a CV

[Ash R33]

i was thinking a CV. but it happens in 2WD. Its not like the front wheel drive cars i have seen with stuffed CVs that make a shit noise when turning around car parks. This happens in straight lines. Can hear it best when ya rolling up to the traffic lights

[ScrawnC]

If its coming from the front end and it does it in 2wd then it can't be drivetrain? Unless u still have the hubs locked in. Must be a suspension or steering noise in which case it won't make any noise while up on stands. Noises r sometimes a real pain to find! Unless it sounds like something is gonna fall off then I usaully just turn up the stereo.

[Ash R33]

Ok I was wrong its coming front the back. I Jacked it up and turned the back wheels back and forth. There seems to be a bit of play in the diff. And this is where I get technical. But the bit that sticks out the front of the diff is just moving a touch up and down when I move the wheels. The diff is not leaking so its all done up tight.

[ScrawnC]

So there is some play in the pinion bearing then? Sounds like you have some serious internal diff problems. Is the noise coming from inside the diff?

[Ash R33]

yeah just reading through some old posts. I think water has gotten in it and stuffed up some bearings. Might have to pull the whole lot out and have a look. If i was to pull it out. Are they easy to put back in? Or should i get a diff person to do it.

[Ash R33]

The yellow lines is where it is flexing. And the movement is also down near the red arrows. So there is something warn out in the diff i take it?

[BenT]

The yellow lines is where it is flexing. And the movement is also down near the red arrows. So there is something warn out in the diff i take it?

Sounds like your U-bolts are loose. Had the same trouble in mine ages ago - noticed a clunk when on / off the gas, and it was loose U-bolts. You could see a gap between the axle and the spring on mine.

No need to take out the diff, just tighten the 4 nuts you can just see underneath the u-bolt plate.

Ben

[ScrawnC]

Definately worth tightening the u-bolts first, if that is all the problem is then consider yourself lucky!! The last diff rebuilt in my 79 series Cruiser cost me over $600 and that was parts at cost and next to no labour charge. The u-bolts should be checked periodically too, not that many people do (me included, and I look after a fleet of rental 4wds)

[Ash R33]

The U bolts did need a bit of a tightening. But the problem is still there.

[mistaboz]

Worn diff gears?
Bearings?

Paul

[Guy]

does it cluck every revolution of the wheel .. wheel bearing .. or busted tooth on the diff.

[Zute]

It might not be leaking oil, because it has none.

[Ash R33]

Ok drained the diff. Might have done with a touch more oil. Anyhow I have pulled the passenger side axel out. Cause there was a bit of oil in the drums. There is a bit of movement in the bearing so I might have to get replaced. Also in the first picture there is a red arrow is that the seal? And the two yellow arrows are pointing at a bit of plastic. Should that be on the bearing still?

[Guy]

The bit of plastic is fine as is, it stops the axle rubbing on the seal as you slide it back in.

If the diff was leaking oil your seal and bearing is gone and time to be replaced.

[mistaboz]

No it should not be on the bearing. It comes as a seperate part when you order a bearing kit.
If you're not doing the bearing replacement yourself leave the seal in there and get whoever is doing the work to replace it.

Paul

[ScrawnC]

It would definately be worth dropping the diff head out now that u have gone this far. If just to check that there is no missing teeth or abnormal wear. The seals look like they need to be replaced and the collar on the axle too? Can they be changed or just speedi sleeved?

[ScrawnC]

And yes the red arrow is the seal, just be careful not to damage the outer housing if you are gonna attempt to replace it yourself. The bearing has to be pressed off and on which isn't the easiest thing to do for a first timer