clunking noise from the rear

[xagna]

While idling at stop, when ever I shift into 1st gear or Reverse, I hear clunking noise and jolt from rear of the car. It sound as if the sound and jolt comes from rear diff but not sure. Could this be the subframe moving or rear diff moving? I have stock subframe bushings and stock rear diff. What could be the solution?

[!Zar!]

That's your transmission going in gear. So it sounds like you just feel your linkages moving around. But then again threads like this are hard to figure out with somewhat vague info

[kenversusryu]

if your diff is still good and your shocks aren't blown, then most likely its the subframe bushing that's gone bad. Usually people buy subframe bushing collars.. or replace the bushing entirely. The collars are real easy to install than installing new bushings so i'd go with that first. Find them on ebay .. they're relatively cheap.

[xagna]

What about universal joint on the drive shaft or half shaft? Do you think the u-joint flex audible clunking noise? I really hope this is the subframe bushing. I had stock subframe bushing for 175000 miles.

[!Zar!]

What about universal joint on the drive shaft or half shaft? Do you think the u-joint flex audible clunking noise? I really hope this is the subframe bushing. I had stock subframe bushing for 175000 miles.
Chances are high that could be the problem also. But keep in mind from my experience once you install subframe collars/ allow bushings, it will dimish road quality somewhat. But if you'd rather get rid of the wierd tranny noises, and replace them with a somewhat harsher ride, then you should get them. Collars are a great bang for buck install. Check out Splparts.com and grab the collars since they don't require you to remove your whole subframe. But then again that is true for any collar with some portion cut our.

[VitaminT]

Sorry most of these solutions are good but don't apply if he is at a complete stop.

There are quite a few things it COULD be but I will tell you what I have been through.

I have a clunking noise from the rear of my car. It does it sitting still going between gears or when moving and going from accel to decell or decell to accel. I originally thought it was an issue with slack in my diff so I have since changed my entire subframe (I did have a busted subframe mount) different diff case with 4.363 final drive, new nismo diff, different output shaft flanges, different axles, different hubs (went to 5lug), and installed subframe collars. To my surprise when it all got put back together....it still clunks. Recently I installed a one piece aluminum driveshaft with spicer replaceable u-joints and the problem continues. Next up...swap the trans with a spare I picked up.

Maybe soon I can come back and say it is fixed, I sure hope so because it is annoying as crap.

[NIK90s13]

it could be the ''u'' joint, or the carrier bering, if it's not a one piece driveshaft.

[NIK90s13]

I would like to hear what you find ''vitamin T''. Because there is'nt much else back there!! other than the sub frame!!

[gnuproject]

It would have to be the subframe bushings. Mine was doing it almost everytime; shifting, stopping it was always there. When I checked my bushings, the metal rod on the bushing itself just fell off.:doh: I removed the whole subframe and swapped all 4 of my bushings out with Nismo Subframe Bushings. Work'd like a charm, no more noise, didnt hurt handling only improved it.

[gnuproject]

It would have to be the subframe bushings. Mine was doing it almost everytime; shifting, stopping it was always there. When I checked my bushings, the metal rod on the bushing itself just fell off.:doh: I removed the whole subframe and swapped all 4 of my bushings out with Nismo Subframe Bushings. Work'd like a charm, no more noise, didnt hurt handling only improved it.

[aznpoopy]

lots of possibilities

d/s
subframe bushings
differential bushings
blown rear shocks

iirc if it were d/s u joint, your car would have a nasty vibration at speed, even in neutral.

typically on a 240, its subframe bushings. bad diff bushings isn't too uncommon either.

[VitaminT]

I would like to hear what you find ''vitamin T''. Because there is'nt much else back there!! other than the sub frame!!

I might be a little while before I get a chance to do the tranny swap. It is chilly outside right now.

Oh and I swapped the subframe for another. The new one had good bushings all the way around. I think I just dread doing the tranny swap with the motor in the car. I was planning on doing it when I pull the motor for a turbo upgrade/metal hg.

[aggiez32]

Some Z32 guys have found that solid subframe bushings and spacers will cause a clunking. Sometimes it has been found with a 1 piece driveshaft, sometimes when stock. It's an annoyance that people live with, unfortunately.

[VitaminT]

Hmm I will keep that in mind. My noise was about the same before and after the one piece driveshaft. My car isn't a daily driver so I am not real picky about noise at all. Part of the problem is I removed all the sound deadening from the hatch and under the rear seats. I know it is going to make noise...that I don't care, but this sounds like something is going to explode.

I can make the noise happen with the car sitting still and me barely letting the clutch out in a popping motion. I would call it bumping the clutch but it is in reverse. Like the pedal is down and I will let up just a bit and push it back in. Nothing near like launching the car or anything to get weight transfer going...not even enough to make the car roll, just enough to take up the slack in the driveline.

Also when the car is rolling in first gear with the clutch out I can just gently apply the throttle and back of the throttle and it will make a clunk on accel and a clunk on decel. Maybe it is normal and if it is that is all good, I am just scared I am going to launch it at the strip or something and next thing I know I will be calling 1800comegetmyass.


Oh by the way xagna, didn't mean to jack your thead with my problem.