Differential Clunk

redline10000 · 05-04-2016, 07:55 PM

I have been getting a weird clunking noise from the rear of my car that sounds like metal on metal contact and I have not been able to track it down. I checked all the usual suspects like my shocks, loose bolts, camber arms and sway-bar end links. One thing I did notice is that the shaft coming out of my diff has a bit of play in it. If I move it around a lot it sounds very similar to the noise that I am getting but not not as loud.

Question is, how much play is too much? I assume there should be a little bit of play but not a lot. Could this be the source of my noise?

Here is a vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0UDjBZZ-s

Orestp · 05-04-2016, 08:05 PM

Hi - I'm not a tech - but I changed to a Cusco LSD last year - in my experience a bit of play when you twist the axel, and a bit of play in and out of the diff is normal - but in your video it looks like the axel wiggles back & forth - that does not look right.

redline10000 · 05-04-2016, 08:32 PM

That's what I was afraid of. I just changed the fluid in my diff and it smelled really bad which I assume is a bad sign. Also the magnetic drain plug was filled with metal.

Slartibartfas · 05-05-2016, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redline10000

Also the magnetic drain plug was filled with metal.

Ruh-roh.

DeadM0nkey · 05-05-2016, 12:08 PM

Not sure if this helps, but I was experiencing a clunk from the rear when traveling at low speeds (like parking garages) and I'd get on or off the gas. In my searches I saw a lot of recommendations to re-lube the spline of the axle where they connect to the hub. My problem went away on its own before I tried it.

redline10000 · 05-05-2016, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the tip. I saw that too but for me the noise seems to be bigger than at the hub. The play in the stub shaft seems like it might be my source. I plan to separate the axle from the shaft and see which components have excessive play. Hopefully I am lucky and all she needs is some lube in one of the holes. gigty

05-04-2016, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
redline10000 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: boston Posts: 265 Drives: 2011 370z sport Rep Power: 13	Differential Clunk I have been getting a weird clunking noise from the rear of my car that sounds like metal on metal contact and I have not been able to track it down. I checked all the usual suspects like my shocks, loose bolts, camber arms and sway-bar end links. One thing I did notice is that the shaft coming out of my diff has a bit of play in it. If I move it around a lot it sounds very similar to the noise that I am getting but not not as loud. Question is, how much play is too much? I assume there should be a little bit of play but not a lot. Could this be the source of my noise? Here is a vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0UDjBZZ-s __________________ AAM Axleback + AAM Midpipe \| K&N Drop in filters \| Eibach Front Sway bar \|Whiteline diff bushing\| Dunlop ZII

05-04-2016, 08:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Orestp Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 43 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 14	Hi - I'm not a tech - but I changed to a Cusco LSD last year - in my experience a bit of play when you twist the axel, and a bit of play in and out of the diff is normal - but in your video it looks like the axel wiggles back & forth - that does not look right. __________________ GTM Twin Supercharger / GTM Large Capacity Oil Pan / GTM Valve Body Upgrade / Setrab 34 row oil cooler <- Deleted, Replaced with Laminova water to oil oil cooler / MotorDyne ART pipes / Cusco RS LSD / Tuned by Specialty Z / 15mm Ichiba spacers front & rear

05-04-2016, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
redline10000 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: boston Posts: 265 Drives: 2011 370z sport Rep Power: 13	That's what I was afraid of. I just changed the fluid in my diff and it smelled really bad which I assume is a bad sign. Also the magnetic drain plug was filled with metal. __________________ AAM Axleback + AAM Midpipe \| K&N Drop in filters \| Eibach Front Sway bar \|Whiteline diff bushing\| Dunlop ZII

05-05-2016, 05:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
redline10000 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: boston Posts: 265 Drives: 2011 370z sport Rep Power: 13	Thanks for the tip. I saw that too but for me the noise seems to be bigger than at the hub. The play in the stub shaft seems like it might be my source. I plan to separate the axle from the shaft and see which components have excessive play. Hopefully I am lucky and all she needs is some lube in one of the holes. gigty __________________ AAM Axleback + AAM Midpipe \| K&N Drop in filters \| Eibach Front Sway bar \|Whiteline diff bushing\| Dunlop ZII

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05-05-2016, 12:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
DeadM0nkey Base Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4 Drives: 2011 370z Sport Rep Power: 10	Not sure if this helps, but I was experiencing a clunk from the rear when traveling at low speeds (like parking garages) and I'd get on or off the gas. In my searches I saw a lot of recommendations to re-lube the spline of the axle where they connect to the hub. My problem went away on its own before I tried it.