Here is an odd clunking sound comming out of the rear end of my SE that has been becoming louder and louder.

Its some kind of Trrrraaaaarrraaarrrraarrrrarrrrrarrrra sound (I know its hard to picture but its the best i came up with)

This sound only manifests itself under acceleration going forwards and on deceleration going backwards (using engine compression)

I lifted the rear wheels and accelerated (no load in first gear) and did not hear the disturbing sound.

Diff is full of oil, the LSD still seems to be functional.

I'm running out of Ideas here, any Ideas that can put me on the right track to find the Gremlin?

 

Rear pinion bearing is shot, most likely.

The rear pinion gear sees load only under acceleration going forwards, and deceleration going in reverse. The front pinion gear makes noise under the opposite conditions.

It's also possible that some gear teeth chewed up on the drive side.

Either way, the easiest fix would be to get a good used centersection from a junkyard and swap it out. It's not too difficult - just remove the rear calipers (you can leave the brake line attached), unbolt the backing plates, pull the axles out (may require a slide hammer, or you could just put the wheel back on and hammer on the tire until the axle pops loose. Don't hammer the rim), unbolt the driveshaft, and then it's ten or so 12mm bolts holding the centersection in. Don't let it fall on your head.

To change the bearings, or the gears, would require the ability to set-up the gears. That's not something that is very easy to do, even for pro mechanics. Most people destroy a ring and pinion or two before they get the hang of setting up the mesh right

 

Dohhhh thats what I was affraid of...

Thanks for the info Now I got to decide what to do with the thing, if its just the bearing is it possible just to change that? or does it all come out as an assembly?

 

To cheange the bearing you have to take the diff ceter out (as outlined), then take the diff out, then take the pinion gear out, then press the bearing off and press the new one on... Doing this will screw up the relationship between the gears and you'll have to set up the gears again (which, as mentioned, is very easy to get wrong and not very easy to get right)

That's why I say, the easiest thing would be to swap another centersection in there.

 

Got it Thanks for the answers & th short delay.

 

Seems there was a chunk of the worm grear that has been torn off. Dont know how I did that!

I will get it inspected just for the fun of it (if its free)

But looks like i got to hit the local scrap yards (not very rich in 1st gens with LSD's).

 

I have the same sound in mine. Sounds like someone is back there playing the bongos on pots and pans and they are way off beat. So I found one online and will attempt the change soon. @ $175 + shipping. Supposed to be all set to bolt in.

 

Well its not complicated to change (as described above)

unfortunately the tire trick did not work for me but a 8 bls hammer on the plate that holds the wheel studs (with the brake disk off) got it off with no effort.