Help! Drivetrain noise/vibration

[Krooked]

Hey guys I recently have been having trouble with my drivetrain and have been doing a ton of research but haven't found anything that matched my symptoms.

Right, so I have a 1998 Nissan 240sx Kouki. So far on suspension back there I installed the Isis arm kit and cusco coilovers. Driveshaft, diff, and axles are stock.

After driving a little while I start getting a clinking/ clanking noise that I can hear coming from the driveshaft area. It even does this when sitting in neutral but randomly goes away and starts up again at any given moment.

From my research the things that fit my symptoms could be,
-bad u joint(s)
-bad cv axle
-vibration from worn bushing
-differential gears grinding
-wheel bearing? (Ruled this out because I get a vibration in neutral.)

But yeah any Help is appreciated I just want to know what it is 100% before I go wasting money on something I don't need.

I have access to the standard jack+ stands and sometimes my friends hydraulic lift.

Thanks guys

[mechanicalmoron]

If it does it in neutral with the car stopped, it's not the u joint, cv joint, diferential, or wheel bearing.

Unless you have something just falling off the car. Just give it a good look when you can get it in the air, and you might be able to find it.

[Krooked]

Thanks, ill be able to get it lifted probably later today

[Krooked]

Any chance this could be bad subframe bushings?

[Krooked]

Got the car up in the air and checked literally EVERY bolt back there. Everything is sound. I put the car in neutral and theres about a 1/2" play on the driveshaft. Is this normal?

The bushings are pretty worn but those are getting replaced next week when my bushing kit from energy suspension comes in.

The boots on the axles are fine and I'm not leaking any lubrication. The only thing i did see was the differential looked very moist. Could it be a loose diff cover leaking oil?

Still have NO clue what this could be!

Help!!

[sleepyS14se]

how many miles are on the oem driveshaft? you may need to go to driveshaftshop.com or shaftmasters.com and order a 1pc driveshaft that has serviceable u joints.

Also if you have stock subframe bushings now would be a good time to do them to keep your subframe from banging up and down during driving and it will also get rid of the 'floating' feeling you get from bad bushings.

[Krooked]

Thanks man, yeah i was gonna do a steel driveshaft, energy suspension diff, control arm, and subframe bushings. All poly. If it still makes the noise after that i think ill be pretty sure its one of the output shafts on the diff

[Kallixtos]

Yes, its a good idea to replace your worn out bushings. Although those items wont cause a clinking or clanking when the car is stationary in neutral.

[Krooked]

When i get my stuff in ill let you guys know how everything is.

[UnknownGuy]

I think that you might be being pointed in the wrong direction. Not ruling out the drivetrain and rear end are causes for noise and vibration, but Im 99.9% sure that it is not the drivetrain or rear end. If the car is truly vibrating while in neutral while the car is stationary it is impossible that its your driveshaft or rearend, just on the simple fact that your not getting any power to the rear end. The driveshaft doesnt move while in neutral. Instead try looking at the motor and trans mount Im almost certain that you'll find a crack in the bushings. Good luck

[aga]

i have a similar thing, my drivetrain vibrates at certain rpm's accelerating, and decellerating... i replaced all the bushings and the subframe ones, and now it's more obvious. i read on the fsm that the driveshaft should be measured , and if is more off-centre should be rotated around its bolts. but i also get a klanging when getting into gear etc... where should i look?

[WERDdabuilder]

^did you check your driveshaft carrier bearing? I was getting vibration throughout my drivetrain when accelerating and it was my carrier bearing, it was shot. I replaced the shaft and all is new again.

[aga]

you replaced the whole driveshaft? you went one piece? i hear those have their own issues... you can feel them having a slight humm when rotating...

i am gonna measure the driveshaft's "centering" according to the FSM, and if it's ok, im gonna replace the carrier bearing.

[WERDdabuilder]

I replaced it with a stock one that had a good bearing. The rubber dust/boot cover on my bearing was shredded and my shit was bouncing all over causing the vibration.