2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Clunk from rear end upon launch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-27-09, 08:53 PM
  #1  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Clunk from rear end upon launch

ok well not really launching the car, but dropping the clutch.. if i start off smooth, no problems..

Few weeks ago i threw in a s4 TII lsd. my subframe is up tight, diff is mounted tight, front diff mount is good, even got a pinion snubber on it. There is a clunk that i cant determine. I dunno if its the diff, seems like if i have the rear in the air and move one wheel there is a slight play til i hear a clunk and the other moves. Otherwise the diff seems to be good, fresh fluids etc.

Could it be the u-joint? anything i should suspect?
Old 06-27-09, 09:00 PM
  #2  
Wiring Nightmare

iTrader: (12)
 
ITSWILL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ortonville, MI
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
maybe you snapped the diff mount mount like that other guy recently did?
Old 06-27-09, 09:01 PM
  #3  
Turbo power, activate!

iTrader: (7)
 
Black Knight RX7 FC3S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 1,708
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
It started ever since the S4 LSD swap?
Old 06-27-09, 09:15 PM
  #4  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
yeah i think so after i swapped the diff, i had a NA welded in there *came with the car*, and that was a harder clunking from what I believed to be breaking *tho i havent cracked that diff open yet, just sitting in on the ground *..

I dont feel like droppin the subframe to look at that front diff mount, ill try putting preload on that snubber against the diff and see what that does.. Im by myself so i cant really have someone engage the drivetrain while lookin at it in the air.
Old 06-27-09, 09:51 PM
  #5  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
ok im assuming maybe i jus got a bad diff.. theres a lil play from the spline to where it actually engages. is that possible? from my knowledge and the car i got the diff from *car was stock*, i doubt its ever been cracked open and messed with as far as if the gear mesh is off etc..
Old 06-28-09, 07:39 PM
  #6  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
im Assuming its the diff, can i just pull the driveshaft and hit the spline with a impact gun?
Old 06-28-09, 07:43 PM
  #7  
Former FC enthusiast

iTrader: (2)
 
KhanArtisT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 2,841
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
If you want to rule out the diff mount, jack the rear up and have a friend engage the clutch in 1st gear several times while you monitor diff movement.
Old 06-28-09, 07:55 PM
  #8  
Retired Moderator, RIP

iTrader: (142)
 
misterstyx69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes on 114 Posts
Did you check the Oil level in the Diff?
Check the axle nuts,to make sure that they are on Tight.also see if the Driveshaft U joints are good.(all can be done,alone).
Are you leaking Fluid at the Front of the Diff?>is it loose there?.If so,the Bearing is Kaput..the bearings are 65 Cdn( I checked Mazda).the oil seal and nut are about 20 bucks CDN.
Old 06-28-09, 08:08 PM
  #9  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
thanks, seems teh diff mounts are fine. no fluid leakage, and i put fresh gear oil when i put it in about a month ago. *it had this problem when i put it in, but i always thought maybe something was loose so i didnt investigate til now*

What im seeing is i can turn the center driveshaft with my hand and theres a slight few degrees of play b4 it spins the wheels.. While in the air with the car on, i can drop the clutch while leaning out of the car looking in that direction and really cant determine what exactly it is, but im sure its that slop. Compared to this old welded NA diff i have sitting on the ground, theres no play at all when i turn the spline.
Old 08-13-09, 01:35 AM
  #10  
Boost knob

iTrader: (13)
 
incubuseva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lake Stevens
Posts: 1,716
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Figure it out? Try pushing on the front of the differential when you're under the car. If it moves upwards about an inch or more then your front mount is shot. I have this problem as well.
Old 08-13-09, 02:59 AM
  #11  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
if your pinion snubber is not preloaded then its probably bouncing off it on a launch.
Old 08-13-09, 06:17 AM
  #12  
Refined Valley Dude

 
Amur_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Karack
if your pinion snubber is not preloaded then its probably bouncing off it on a launch.
A pinion snubber is a thick chunk of rubber. Even if the front diff mount was a clean break, I wouldn't expect a clunk from the snubber unless he was launching at 8k with a 4-puck clutch. I think he's right to suspect the internals.
Old 08-13-09, 10:48 AM
  #13  
Mac Attack

iTrader: (5)
 
MaczPayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Posts: 5,668
Received 19 Likes on 9 Posts
Describe this clunk? Is it a dull sound or a sharp sound?
Old 08-13-09, 11:09 AM
  #14  
MECP Certified Installer

 
jjwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mesquite, TX-DFW
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I suspect excessive gear backlash. Just for example, when you have excessive backlash in the rear end with an automtic transmission and you put the selector into drive, the rear end will clunk as the gear teeth engage each other due to the engine loading up the drivetrain.
Old 09-16-09, 11:01 PM
  #15  
Slowpoke

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Hypertek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 5,273
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
it was a bad motor mount.. probably the whole drive line taking a shock.

Swapped the motormounts and it went away.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Th0m4s
Build Threads
25
02-26-19 02:04 AM
coltboostin
Rotary Drag Racing
0
08-20-15 11:37 PM



Quick Reply: Clunk from rear end upon launch



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.