noise from axle

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
I've been hearing a noise forever in the rear of my car, think I've finally found out what it is.
If I pull on the axle flange, I can feel it moving, not much, but noticeable and enough to make a noise. Maybe like 64th of an inch movement, very minute.

Both sides do this, but passenger is noisier. Is this normal with a c-clip style axle? Is this an indicator that the c-clips are wearing out? Can that even happen?

153k on the car, stock gears, i've never had the cover off.

If I could figure out how to post a video of it, I would.
 

07gts197

forum member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Posts
1,171
Reaction score
124
Location
Naples, Fl
Is it in/out or up/down type of play? Sounds to me like either pinion bearing or a loose pinion nut. Someone with more experience correct me if I’m wrong.

If you want to post a video you could upload it to youtube or a photo sharing site and link it here or use Tapatalk and upload it directly from your phone to the forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

JEWC_Motorsports

S197 Junkie
S197 Team Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Posts
20,471
Reaction score
1,596
Location
Texas
153k i hope you have changed the fluid before. Slight movement is normal, should sound like a slight knock sound when moving it.
 

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
It's in/out movement, can barely feel it move actually, but it does make like a knocking/pinging sound.

Yes, I have changed the fluid in it.
 

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
duh, thanks 07gts, youtube slipped my mind. Guess it was being out painting the barn in 100+ heat today, fried my brain.

Here's a video of the passenger side.

 

msvela448

forum member
Joined
Jun 8, 2017
Posts
444
Reaction score
176
Could be work out clutch packs in the diff. Have they ever been replaced?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
 

RED09GT

Equal Opportunity Offender
S197 Team Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Posts
2,630
Reaction score
488
Location
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Nothing abnormal about that, there is a bit of play with the axles. Chances are it is a bearing with that much mileage.
There is the pinion bearing, the carrier bearings, and the outer wheel bearings. With that many miles, good insurance to replace them all.
 

MrBhp

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Posts
1,250
Reaction score
1,032
You didn't say what kind of noise you're hearing. Is it a clunk when going over bumps? Is it a kurplunk when putting transmission in gear. Is it a schweeeee when driving down the road? That noise on the video is perfectly normal. That's the life of a c-clip retained axle.
 

Rick Simons

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Posts
250
Reaction score
61
That looks/sounds like typical end play. Unless you hear this when driving the car I wouldn't worry about it. Now go throw the ball for your adorable pitbull.
 

bujeezus

forum member
Joined
Aug 31, 2015
Posts
3,251
Reaction score
355
Location
Alabama
How did you change the fluid if you've "never had the cover off"? After market cover?
 

07 Boss

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Posts
3,831
Reaction score
968
Location
Sin City
Have you ever changed your UCA bushing? Easily overlooked when tracking down a noise. It would clunk over bumps and getting on and off the gas. I had LCA bushings go out to but that is pretty evident once you take the wheel off.
 

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
How did you change the fluid if you've "never had the cover off"? After market cover?

I guess I did have the cover off to drain the fluid. You got me there. But I've never messed with the gears on this car. The '66 ... that's another story.

I do hear that noise while driving, have for years, but it's only on my super bumpy, pothole laden dirt driveway and events such as pulling out of work, from an incline, turning right, onto a declined roadway. Like I said, it's been there for years, it's not new, I just finally found what it is.

Clutch packs have never been replaced, neither have any of the bearings.
 

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
Have you ever changed your UCA bushing? Easily overlooked when tracking down a noise. It would clunk over bumps and getting on and off the gas. I had LCA bushings go out to but that is pretty evident once you take the wheel off.

Yes, I found that one about 2 years ago. The stock rubber one was totally shot. Replaced it with a poly one.

I also tore everything apart on the rear about 6 months ago, checked all the bolts, checked all the bushings and re-torqued everything to spec. The noise persisted ....
 

pass1over

I like it LOW
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Posts
1,513
Reaction score
236
Location
Trenton, FL
currently has a solid upper arm, I think BMR. Had a Steeda adjustable one, but swapped to fixed to eliminate that.
J&M Adjustable panhard, but both sides nuts are locked hard into place, I can't torque them anymore.
Steeda billet lower arms, regreased bushings and reinstalled
poly upper a arm bushing
poly sway bar bushings
bc racing coils, all lock rings are tight, shocks are only a year old, all bolts are tight
 

JEWC_Motorsports

S197 Junkie
S197 Team Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Posts
20,471
Reaction score
1,596
Location
Texas
Normal in the video, my 12 has done that since new and its already been through a few gear swaps lol. If you hear it while driving id rebuild the whole rear end.
 

bujeezus

forum member
Joined
Aug 31, 2015
Posts
3,251
Reaction score
355
Location
Alabama
I guess I did have the cover off to drain the fluid. You got me there. But I've never messed with the gears on this car. The '66 ... that's another story.

I do hear that noise while driving, have for years, but it's only on my super bumpy, pothole laden dirt driveway and events such as pulling out of work, from an incline, turning right, onto a declined roadway. Like I said, it's been there for years, it's not new, I just finally found what it is.

Clutch packs have never been replaced, neither have any of the bearings.
Any chance you don't have the right amount of friction modifier in the rear end?
 

Latest posts

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Sponsor Links

Banner image
Back
Top