Rear end suddenly clicking

[chaseincats]

Hi guys,

So I was driving today and somewhere in the rear I started to get a clicking/ratchet type sound when I was coasting out of gear.  The sound speeds up and slows down in a 1:1 ratio with the car's speed.  It is most evident when I'm going slower and seems to not click as loudly when I am in gear compared to coasting in neutral (but I could be wrong).

The sound is not super loud but is very noticeable.  I have attached an MP3 of the sound but if that doesn't work, you can hear it here: https://vocaroo.com/i/s0pvF7JKlewZ

 

Any ideas?

-chase

 

EDIT: I got it up on stands and spun the rear tires.  The clicking seems to be coming from the area where the driver's side cv joint connects to the differential as it is louder on that side but still audible on the passenger side.  I shook the u-joints but didn't notice any play in them.  I didn't think the r200s ever went bad though?

clicking.mp3

Edited April 28, 2019 by chaseincats

[siteunseen]

@Captain Obviousfill in again today.

Check to make sure you don't have some type of debris around any of the rotating stuff. I've heard plastic bags, pieces of wire etc. getting on the drive shaft, in the u-joints, wherever, makes a sudden noise. 

Edited April 28, 2019 by siteunseen

[Patcon]

Do you have the oem halfshafts or cv halfshafts?

[chaseincats]

Just now, Patcon said:

Do you have the oem halfshafts or cv halfshafts?

I'm not sure - when I get under the car, what should I be looking for to tell?

[Patcon]

Do you two u-joints in the short shafts on each side of the differential or are there 2 rubber boots?

[chaseincats]

1 minute ago, Patcon said:

Do you two u-joints in the short shafts on each side of the differential or are there 2 rubber boots?

There are 2 u-joints - no boots on the end

[chaseincats]

I just got under the car and after chocking the passenger side wheel, I spun the driver side wheel and got the clunking - the left wheel doesn't make the diff clunk.  Does this help in the diagnosis?

[siteunseen]

Does it do it constantly forward or backwards?

Usually a u joint will pop when you yank the tire back and forth.

You might find a grease zerk on the u joints, also?

[chaseincats]

Just now, siteunseen said:

Does it do it constantly forward or backwards?

Usually a u joint will pop when you yank the tire back and forth.

You might find a grease zerk on the u joints, also?

Ya it makes the noise consistently forwards and backwards.  I gave the joints a yank but got no play out of them.  I don't believe the OE half-shafts have grease fittings (I see a screw on them but not a grease nipple).

[Zed Head]

Are the diff axles firmly seated in the diff?  Is the car lowered?  Do you see any rub marks?

You have u-joint halfshafts, but they usually clunk when shifting if they're loose.  You're clicking noise doesn't really sound like a u-joint, but it's not clear how fast you were going when you made the recording.

The screws can be removed and a Zerk fitting installed if you want to grease them up.  Look for rust around the seals.  If you see some the joint is shot.

[chaseincats]

5 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

Are the diff axles firmly seated in the diff?  Is the car lowered?  Do you see any rub marks?

You have u-joint halfshafts, but they usually clunk when shifting if they're loose.  You're clicking noise doesn't really sound like a u-joint, but it's not clear how fast you were going when you made the recording.

The screws can be removed and a Zerk fitting installed if you want to grease them up.  Look for rust around the seals.  If you see some the joint is shot.

In the recording, I was going at max 5mph and then came to a stop at the end which is why the clicking slows.

The car is up in the air.  Where specifically should I be looking for rub marks - the connecting area for the halfshafts to the diff?  Could u-joints click if they need grease?

[Zed Head]

If it's safe to be under it, with good solid jack stands, just crawl under there and spin the wheels and see if you can locate the noise.  You might have to lift the wheels up some by the control arms though because the u-joints will be at an extreme angle with the wheels hanging.

Check the flanges on both ends of the halfshafts for loose nut and/or bolts.  The noise sounds a little bit like loose parts.  Might even be loose lug nuts, better check those too.