I know there is no such thing as a stupid question..... just stupid people who ask questions. So I'm going to be stupid and ask some about a noise I've been hearing, very slightly feeling in the rear of my '90 NA. The noise is a sort of thumping that corresponds to the speed of travel, mostly noticable between 15-20 mph, then decreasing afterward. I suspected tires at first, had them rebalanced, swapped positions, no change. I can't really tell the side the noise is coming from. I then suspected the rear bearings. I checked them by listening while turning the wheels with the car in gear as well as by hand to no avail. I figure bearings would make noise in a locatable manner anyway. So, if it isn't bearings, and it isn't tires, maybe the halfshafts or the diff? Is there a way to check each of these without removing them from the car? How much play should there be in the rear end? I tugged at the halfshafts a little, listened for noise, turned the wheels while underneath, checked how much the wheel turned before the shaft turned going into the diff., looked at how much turning it took to feel the diff work each way. I then realized I have nothing to compare these measurements to, so I need some extra info here. Would anyone have suggestions or comments or similar test results, or opinions of some sort on what is going on or what to try? I hate having problems I can't identify, because I hate the idea of going to a dealer paying $65 for them to spend 45 minutes figuring out I need to spend $400 to fix something I could do myself. Sorry to be so long winded, but I'd really appreciate any constructive advice from fellow 7 owners/maintainers. Thanks.

 

Jesus, that was horrible to read, form some paragraphs.

Um, driveshaft
Brakes
diferential.

Check your dif. fluid, take the wheels off and take a good look at your brakes, turn the driveshaft by hand and check for play. Or, make sure it's not your lug nuts then just drive it till whatever it is packs up all together


OR

Do what the CHP does take a hammer and ping on things and listen for the reply.

 

I doubt its the drive shaft.

I have the same problem in my 87 n/a. This click that you can hear and feel at low speeds.

I replaced the drive shaft when I swapped out a tranny hoping this would fix the problem.

It didn't.

I suspect the half shafts are either directly the problem or are being tweeked slightly by the differential mounting scheme.

So I suggest checking the diff mounts to body. Then replace the half shafts and then let me know what happened.

 

Sorry about the lack of paragraphical order, english is my worst subject. Anyway, I did check the diff, and driveshaft, and brakes, and wheel studs. I just wanted to know how loose the diff is supposed to be. How much can I turn the axle shaft before the diff starts to turn?
Templeswain, I'm kinda suspecting the halfshafts too at this point, but not sure which one. The FSM says to completely remove and dissassemble to inspect . I will be checking the diff mount next, though I think it's ok, and then get some new CV boots before taking the axles apart. I hope they don't cost $50 a piece for frickin CV boots either. If I get around to it any time soon, I'll let you know what's up.
Also forgot to mention, I notice a slight pulsing while braking, corresponding to the thump noise. Not anything in the pedal, but the whole car... like it has an extra grippy spot on the brakes.
Any more help, or directions?

 

Are your brake rotor's within spec?

 

I'm under the assumption they are currently within spec. However, I will get them turned in the next few weeks to be absolutely sure. I doubt my noise is coming from them though, unless they are competely warped or something.