Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi Guys,

For a while now I've been noticing a clunk in the driveline when I let the clutch out. It feels like play being taken up. I checked under the car and when I rotate either the rear drive shaft or the jack shaft there is a little play but I would have thought this normal. I rebuilt the transfer a couple of 1000k ago so that should be ok. Sometimes when the cars been sitting for a couple of hours I let the clutch out and nothing happens then bang it engages. Any ideas?

Maybe a sticky clutch cable not letting it release straight away.
Maybe uni's.
Maybe slop in transfer or diff.

I have the same thing. (well not the delayed clutch thing tho)
feels like a bit of a slap in the diff, I think it might be the backlash. I've rebuilt my transfer also.
When i pull the rear centre out to weld it up I'll get try and get someone to set the backlash properly. If its not that, then i have no idea.
Might have a drive of some of my mates cars over the weekend see if any of them get it.

I had a similar clunk in my commodore twice. Both times it was the centre bearing in the drive shaft. So I'd say perhaps unis or something similar in the drive shaft area.

Yeah I thought at first it might be backlash. But if it was I didn't think there would be play in the driveshaft because it would be restricted at the gearbox end. Should there be any play in the jackshaft at all? There doens't seem to be in play in the unis when I move them by hand. The flanges and shaft move in unison.

take the shaft out and check the unis.

i had this and found out when it was installed it was firm but lots of play once out.

Put your transfer in neutral, lock the hubs in, and jump under the rig. With the gearbox in neutral and the hubs locked in, you should only be able to turn the shafts a small bit. If there is more play, investigate where it is coming from. Zook uni's are not very strong.

Layto....

My zuk did this when i broke my rear diff center... if the zuk isnt a locked / welded diff - jack the whole back end up so the rear wheels arent on the ground and put stands under there... then slip it into 1st gear and let it idle so the rears rotate up in the air... then using your foot or whatever, stop one wheel (the diff will transfer drive to the other one) see if you can replicate the clunk - mine sounded like it was coming from the axle as it sounded like it was more at the tyre end than the centre - but sound travels faster through steel than it does air - the axle was carrying the vibration out to me.

Have you checked your engine and gearbox mounts?

A slight possibility it's something banging with the rotation of the engine/drivetrain from the massive torque produced by your Zook

On a slightly more serious note, it sounds like something related to the clutch is sticking. I recently replaced my gearbox and have to pull it out again soon coz the thrust bearing?? seems to be sticking on the input shaft