[Microwire]

Hi All,

My rear diff is making clunking noises which is not so good. I've replaced the wheel bearings and I've jacked up the car and run it up to 60kph in my garage then got out and listened to it.

So I've come to the realisation that I'll probably need to get the centre replaced or the inner bearings done... or both. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of what I'm looking at to get someone to do this for me? and does anyone know any decent diff mechanics in the Liverpool area?

Thanks.

[Mubby]

Just a quick heads up, im not saying this is definately what it is but my rear diff was also making a clicking, clunking sound and it turned out that the diff had muddy water in it.

I cleaned it out and replaced with some new 85-90w diff oil and the noise is totaly gone. Just might be something to look at maybe?

Nick.

[Microwire]

Yeah Righto I'll check that. I did replace the oil when I did my bearings but I'll check it anyway.

[buzbox]

And did you check or adjust the backlash?

[atari4x4]

not sure where they are, but i've heard good things about promac on the forums over the years.

[Microwire]

What's backlash? you'll have to excuse me for my ignorance.

[FullyZooked]

When talking diffs, Backlash is the amount of play between the mesh of the crown and pinion gears. If this too large it can create excessive thunking noises. If too tight it can create a constant or rythmic grind noise.

[Microwire]

That sounds like it... i think. How can one go about fixing it, because I'm doubting it's broken teeth. I'm learning as we go hear lol

[atari4x4]

check my post in this thread, there is a pdf of the diff section from the FSM attached.

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=28047

[Microwire]

Thanks atari4x4 still no luck though.

Here's what I've done so far:

- Ran the car while on stands and listened to diff - heard it roll, roll, roll, clunk, roll, roll, clunk
- Checked and replaced the oil - Fine except 2 very small strands of metal sorta like if you thread a bolt and the thread comes off
- Lifted the rear axle and removed the tailshaft and twisted. Now here's where it gets a little interesting, it's a little hard to describe but I'll try my best. When I twist the bit where the tailshaft joins the diff and take up the less than 10mm worth of slack and then turn it very slowly... like super slowly it slips about 2 or 3mm then the wheels turn. it kind of like clicks over but with no click that's just what it feels like.

So it's like turn, turn, slip, turn, turn, slip (kinda matches the sound it makes when it's driving)

Any ideas?

[Microwire]

bump - anyone?

[royce]

if its slips its missing teeth, jsut pullthe center out and look

[atari4x4]

sounds like it's lost a tooth or 2.

did you stick your finger in the drain hole to feel if there were any teeth floating around in the bottom of the diff housing when you drained the oil?

i had one almost full tooth fall out of the drain hole that had come off the crownwheel & when i pulled the diff centre found another 2 teeth from the crownwheel & a few chunks from the pinion.

[Microwire]

oh yeah i remember seeing the pics. just checked mine, not teeth lying on the bottom had a real good look not metal bits at all. I'll pull the centre tomorrow when i can get some sealler to put it back together.

I'm starting to think after looking at the diff pdf that this is probably an area where i should just get a pro to do the job. Thanks for the help guys, as always.