Differential goes "clunk"

[Kingtal0n]

Hello! Have a diff question for you:

When you turn the driveshaft, the differential goes "clunk". There is alot of play in the driveshaft, thus the clunk.

The differential is an LSD of some kind, could it be a VLSD? WILL a VLSD gain "play" and go clunk when it gets alot of wear? because I have never heard a VLSD do this before.


In either case (VLSD or some random 1.5way) can it be fixed? The clunk must be something you can adjust? I have heard of "shimming" a rear end before, but never in context to a VLSD. But this might not be a VLSD.

I guess the real question is: where do I start?
MY plan right now is to:
1. Replace the diff and remove it from the vehicle
2. Expose the diff and take pictures for further inspection
3. profit

VIDEO
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/draglarry/?action=view&current=differentialplay.mp4

[Twinkies!]

what car did you get the lsd off of? and does it only happen when you turn?

[Kingtal0n]

what car did you get the lsd off of? and does it only happen when you turn?

Its not the diff/subframe bushings :bigok:
I have subframe spacers in the glovebox for when those go bad, but they look fairly new yet.


I notice when I turn of course, but I also notice going in a straight line. I will get a video if I can of the driveshaft play to make clear the problem.


The Diff came from an S14 silvia. I took the entire rear subframe from a random S14 Silvia- the front clip had lots of mods, probably was used for drifting, so it could be a clutch type differential, I do not know.I doubt it though, its probably just a worn out old VLSD type.

[Kingtal0n]

One thing I will mention is that this differential locks both wheels even if I am going very slowly around a corner (with light throttle) even when it is COLD or very HOT (after long highway drives it gets more and more easy to lock both wheels) which is why I think it might be a 1.5 way or something similar.

Like today, coming out of a parking space, I made a very tight turn under very light load and the tires are skipping as if I had a welded differential.

[s13silvia123]

get rid of it, i had the same problem years ago. sooner or later its going to crack your subframe

its probably a vlsd. its not suppose to have play. with the play it will crack your subframe. also there are two brackets connecting to your chasis and the subframe. replace them with a straight ones.

[Kingtal0n]

get rid of it, i had the same problem years ago. sooner or later its going to crack your subframe

its probably a vlsd. its not suppose to have play. with the play it will crack your subframe. also there are two brackets connecting to your chasis and the subframe. replace them with a straight ones.

You mean fabricate functional brackets that are rigid? use high quality steel and a tig welder and a drill press? I think I know the ones you are referring to.}

This bracket?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/draglarry/P1130688.jpg

[Kingtal0n]

Video has been uploaded of differential play.
differentialplay.mp4 Photobucket (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/draglarry/?action=view&current=differentialplay.mp4)

[gostrider]

maybe try rebuild the diff?

[Kingtal0n]

maybe try rebuild the diff?

I do not have the tools or facility to work on anything like this where I am. I will be looking to simply replace it for the time.
I do not wish to break it before I change it so that there is a chance it can be rebuilt and made like new at some other time.
Coincidentally, I do have access to a Tig, offhandedly because I know where there is one I can use if I really needed it. So that water temp gauge install will be a breeze at least, when I finally save enough cans of tuna to buy one, lol. I am stalling, I really need to be studying but I am using this as an excuse not to study. Shame on me.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Lash might be off...best bet is find a VLSD, swap it and then inspect what you got in there now.

[Kingtal0n]

I think found a 98 silvia differential Non-abs (i hope) and might pick that up this week.

[Kingtal0n]

update!

After a 20-50 minute drive on the highway, if I stop and check the drivetrain play, it is nearly non-existent.

Noticing this, makes me wonder if the play isnt necessary? Or is a worn out old VLSD going to act this way? hmmm

[derass]

the video you posted shows excessive backlash. from what you say it sounds to be clutch type, because vlsd is not strong enough to make the tires skip in a parking lot. when you take turns does it go clunk clunk clunk (clutch type) or just a single clunk (backlash) if it is a clutch type diff it could also be play between the spider gear cross shaft and the ramps, this could likely be the case, becasue if it came from a jdm clip, it has probably been well abused.

[Kingtal0n]

the video you posted shows excessive backlash. from what you say it sounds to be clutch type, because vlsd is not strong enough to make the tires skip in a parking lot. when you take turns does it go clunk clunk clunk (clutch type) or just a single clunk (backlash) if it is a clutch type diff it could also be play between the spider gear cross shaft and the ramps, this could likely be the case, becasue if it came from a jdm clip, it has probably been well abused.


It does make the clunk clunk clunk like a clutch type, but I have been in a car with a clutch type before, and it was a different type of noise than what I am experiencing.

What would make the excessive backlash disappear once the differential got hot from driving on the highway?