pop / clunk in reverse, and tranny q!!! help please

[bobafett]

i have a scary noise almost every time i back up my car...

for instance any time i park and i back up out of the spot, i hear a sharp and sort of loud noise from the front (left i think) wheel area... anyway this doesnt appear to happen when moving forward, only when backing up. it happens almost every time, but it makes me nervous to drive the car aggressivly if something is damaged and might give out. also i am usually turning sharp to get out of a spot, but i dnot know if this has anything to do with the noise happening

also i hear a clunk behind me everytime i shift, or engage / disengage the clutch... but also when i put the transmission into certain gears. doesnt really do it in 4th, but in 1-3 its very noticable, but its definetly bugging me. is this a common noise on these cars, or do i have something i might need to look into? the car is gutted, so i am bound to hear more, but i didnt know if this is something i should lose any sleep over.

whatcha think?

[Sil Beer S13]

i have a scary noise almost every time i back up my car...

for instance any time i park and i back up out of the spot, i hear a sharp and sort of loud noise from the front (left i think) wheel area... anyway this doesnt appear to happen when moving forward, only when backing up. it happens almost every time, but it makes me nervous to drive the car aggressivly if something is damaged and might give out. also i am usually turning sharp to get out of a spot, but i dnot know if this has anything to do with the noise happening

also i hear a clunk behind me everytime i shift, or engage / disengage the clutch... but also when i put the transmission into certain gears. doesnt really do it in 4th, but in 1-3 its very noticable, but its definetly bugging me. is this a common noise on these cars, or do i have something i might need to look into? the car is gutted, so i am bound to hear more, but i didnt know if this is something i should lose any sleep over.

whatcha think?

I dont know what the first one is but. The clunk is your sub frame bushing that are all worn out. Get spacers and the problem will go away.

[bobafett]

i already have subframe spacers, the bushings did look a little beat, but im sure this noise is related to the tranny driveshaft diff or something along those lines, it only happens when changing gears or pressing/releaseing the clutch... not under acceration or decelleration weight transfer

[sciamop]

clunk in front: worn T/C rods probably. Do a search on 'tension rods' or 't/c rods'...

Otherwise, it might be a worn balljoint or tie rod. Jack up front of car and wiggle the wheel around. Look at the ball joint and tie rod while you are doing this -- there should be no play (wheel assembly moves independently of tie rod and ball joint).

Todd

[AuburnRyan]

Rear brakes gave me terrible noise in reverse at one point. there's been a couple posts...basically due to missing/incorrect breake hardware (clips or shims etc.) Check Those!

[AN89HATCH]

does it sound like its comming from oyour diff? I sorta get a clunk sound also, but it sounds like its comming from my diff

[bobafett]

sciamop - thx i will investigate when the girl comes home with the car...

aubrurn ryan - the popping sound is definetly coming from the front of the car, i know its not the brakes, thank you though...

an89hatch - yes it sounds like it could be coming from the diff, i just know the sound is "behind me" but i havent been able to narrow it down much more. only happens when changing gears / pressing releaseing the clutch. so i figure it has to be something in the drivetrain somewhere. its doesnt make a difference if i am babying the car it will happen the same way as if i am slamming through the gears. its not a grind (though i get a slight grind into 2nd and 3rd, thats not anything i am concerned about), its a notiable, and audible "clunk" and i can feel it slightly.

[bobafett]

i think i may have found the source of the problem, although i plan on replacing tension rods with pillowball units....which may fix it.. if not, this is a good thing to check out next...

***FROM PDM RACING SITE!***

S13 Front Top Bearing Mount Insulator

Does your front end pop, clunk and make grinding noises when you turn the wheels. When you are backing up out of your driveway, do you hear a violent metallic ?POP? noise? Replaced your TC Rod bushings and still hear a clunk up front? Chances are, your top spring perch bearings are gone, and you are hearing the clunk of the bearing or the spring actually releasing as it winds itself up due to the bearing not allowing the spring and suspension to rotate through the 240SX?s proper swing. Dirt, grit, water all attack this actual bearing inside the mount and we see this situation time and time again on cars that come through our shop. Solution, change the entire unit today with an OEM top spring bearing mount insulator. This unit is a bearing mounted inside of metal cup that is surrounded by rubber to help isolate road noise, vibration and allow deflection of the spring assembly as your car?s suspension is turned and twisted. Over time, the bearing is attacked by water, grime and dirt, and the rubber breaks down from heat, salt and freezing. If the bearing seizes, it will not allow the shock assembly to rotate smoothly, and binds the spring

OEM Nissan S13 Front Top Bearing Mount Insulator 54320-35F00 ??.$54.25 US each

any ideas on the CLUNK that happens when i shift though? a friend suggested bad tranny mount.. im not familiar with them though, so i dunno if its a common problem on these cars...