I can't recognize this noise but Im sure someone does

[krookedpandas]

I'm getting a loud popping noise coming from my rear end, I would say probably in the differential area when ever I accelerate from zero. Sometimes does it once, sometimes more. I'm a guy who only knows stuff that which i have worked on and the rear end outside of suspension has not been touched by me. However, it is rather a scary sound.

What is it?

 

[lovetoski]

My "simpleton" approach to problems like this is to eliminate simple things first. Lube the rear driveshaft - both the u-joints and the slip yoke. My guess is that it's the slip-yoke, free advice isn't worth much...

Post back up if this doesn't eliminate the noise.

 

[rchalmers3]

pop or clunk? does the driveshaft "ring" a little from the pop?

Rick

 

[krookedpandas]

pop or clunk? does the driveshaft "ring" a little from the pop?

Rick

clunk, or like a thud. I have listened very closely and not heard any other noises.

 

[RredFJ40]

backlash in the diff excessive? With the tranny in neutral is there a lot of play in the driveshaft when turned by hand? Could be the pinion nut or bearing working loose.

 

[rchalmers3]

My guesses:

loose or broken tranny/transfercase mounts

slack or play in tranny/transfercase

loose flange on rear diff pinion

U-joint(s) or rear driveshaft splines

shifting rear axle (loose U-bolts or ??)

Rick

 

[tonkota]

Are there any metal chunks in the diff? Pull the plug to see, hold your thumb over the hole while you inspect so you don't need to change the fluid if you don't want/need to.

Maybe it's a broken ring gear tooth or part of a tooth. <-My guess

 

[Trapper50cal]

Does it?

Does the rear end have a locker? like an Aussie?

 

[krookedpandas]

I haven't touched the drive shaft lately but last inspection everything was tight, that was about a month ago. No locker yet, however I have one that is waiting to go in. U bolts are tight, all new engine mounts including tranny. When I changed the fluid in the rear diff everything looked good. I haven't wheeled it since then. I'll be doing some work on my t case this weekend so I guess I'll do an inspection of the diff too.

 

[tonkota]

The reason I brought up the ring gear tooth is because that is what happened to my mini truck. The ring gear just plain wore out after 250k miles. The teeth that were left behind were really sharp. The pinion actually lost all its teeth when I dumped the clutch to verify the issue Not the smartest thing to do, but I was at home and I had a gut feeling.

I hope it isn't that for you. Unless you want to have an excuse to rebuild and put in a locker

Post up when you figure it out.

 

[krookedpandas]

ok well revised assessment. Checked the driveshaft before I left school and it has a good bit of slack so I'm guessing the noise is the driveshaft.

So what do I need to do about it?

 

[Trapper50cal]

Pinion...

Pinion nut??? anyone
U-joint?

 

[rchalmers3]

ok well revised assessment. Checked the driveshaft before I left school and it has a good bit of slack so I'm guessing the noise is the driveshaft.

So what do I need to do about it?

Not so sure this is your noise. Lotsa driveshafts out there have some play but work fine.

Where is the slack? Is the looseness radially (wobble) or axially(twist)?

I'd be worried about excesive twist giving the noise you have described.

Rick

 

[RredFJ40]

Not so sure this is your noise. Lotsa driveshafts out there have some play but work fine.

Where is the slack? Is the looseness radially (wobble) or axially(twist)?

I'd be worried about excesive twist giving the noise you have described.

Rick

I'd guess he doesn't actually mean the drive shaft, but rather he twisted the drive shaft and there was free play at the diff end.

 

[krookedpandas]

I'd guess he doesn't actually mean the drive shaft, but rather he twisted the drive shaft and there was free play at the diff end.

Yeah there is radial movement at the diff end, I can't quite put to words what I'm thinking. Its like the thud is the tranny moving the slack and then when the drive shaft actually turns the third it contacts with enough force that it makes that noise. Make since?