Got S14 today......noise from rear end???

[CounterfeitSilvia]

http://www.robertssand.com/graphics/240.jpg

The car &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

My question is, there is a "clunk" noise when I let off the clutch some times from the rearend. The car doesn't have VLSD if the FAQ about the vehicle information on the firewall is correct. The sound isn't coming from the transmission (at least I can't feel the "thud" in the shifter) as far as I can tell and the clutch seems fine. It happens kinda random, and only when the clutch is released. I thought maybe it was the uni joint but it could be something different. I just wanted to see if some one on here might have had this problem before.

[BlackS14]

Wouldn't worry about it too much......I think that's just usual....try changing your diff. gear oil and it might smooth it out slightly. Mine has done it for God knows how long and I haven't had any other problems with it..

-Bill

[boosteds14]

i really dont know the exact place or part that can cause that because it can be alot of things.
But to guess, it sounds like the tie rod end

[sykikchimp]

Yeah change the gear oil. &nbsp;Get some Red-line or other good synthetic shock-proof oil and that should help. &nbsp;A clunk could come from the gear grabbing at each other in your diff as the Drive shaft begins to spin against the pinion gear. &nbsp;Good oil should help reduce that.

[Anubis]

check to see if your emergency jack and tools are bolted in correctly. Thats what the noise in my trunk was when I bought my car.

[HippoSleek]

Let me see if I can guess the rest...

1) it only happens in lower gears (1-2);
2) you can avoid it by shifting smoother; and
3) it can also be induced by a quick tap on the gas (lunge - clunk)

Sounds to me like a classic case of differential or rear subframe bushings being bad. &nbsp;This is a very common problem on s14's - especially over 100K mi. &nbsp;Welcome to my world <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp;Unfortunately, replacing the bushings - if that's what it is - is a very expensive proposition that involves removal of the rear subframe. &nbsp;There are inserts that you can put in that basically make the bushings solid that are a quick install. &nbsp;Doing this will also reduce wheel-hop on strong take offs.

I hope, for your sake that it is one of the suggestions above - but if your symptoms match these, it sucks. &nbsp;Mechanically, however, it's not a big deal - just a PITA to fix.

[CounterfeitSilvia]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HippoSleek @ Mar. 29 2002,08:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Let me see if I can guess the rest...

1) it only happens in lower gears (1-2);
2) you can avoid it by shifting smoother; and
3) it can also be induced by a quick tap on the gas (lunge - clunk)

Sounds to me like a classic case of differential or rear subframe bushings being bad. This is a very common problem on s14's - especially over 100K mi. Welcome to my world <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> Unfortunately, replacing the bushings - if that's what it is - is a very expensive proposition that involves removal of the rear subframe. There are inserts that you can put in that basically make the bushings solid that are a quick install. Doing this will also reduce wheel-hop on strong take offs.

I hope, for your sake that it is one of the suggestions above - but if your symptoms match these, it sucks. Mechanically, however, it's not a big deal - just a PITA to fix.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Actually that is exactly what a friend and I narrowed it down to. The bushings!!!

Do you have a link or information where you got your inserts, or will I just have to bend over and let Nissan have its way with me getting stock replacements

[AJ]

don't get stock replacements. get polyurathane bushings if u decide to do it. &nbsp;Someone else should know the site, i've seen it before, but couldn't find it in my favorites.. &nbsp; i have mad wheel hop and i only have 63,000 miles.. so i'm in need of inserts or replacements as well. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also, are there any drawbacks to inserts? are they harder on ur chassis etc?..

[HippoSleek]

I know that Don at PDM-racing (has/had a banner on here somewhere) carries the Whiteline "pineapple" bushing inserts. &nbsp;I know at least one person on here has them too.

The only drawback I've heard it that it makes the ride stiffer. &nbsp;I'm sure in the long run, that means more chassis stress - but so do most things we do &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[CounterfeitSilvia]

Since the search feature isn't worth a darn...... anyone running the Whiteline bushings on the rear end? I just wondered if you were happy with them, how many bushings came in the set.....etc. I will probably just go with the Nismo bushings from http://www.courtesyparts.com/cgi-bin....1-00001 (http://www.courtesyparts.com/cgi-bin/miva?onlinestore/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=55401-00001) if I can't get any feed back on the Whiteline products.

[Archangel]

I will be ordering the Whiteline bushings in the near future, but I'm looking for a shop to install them still.

PDM Racing (http://www.pdm-racing.com) has the Whiteline bushings, and I believe the above posts refer to the sub frame bushings, which I have seen on the site before, but cannot seem to find now. Try emailing them.

Also there is a company called Energy Suspension (http://www.energysuspension.com/) that makes aftermarket bushings, but I haven't hear much about them, and I haven't had a chance to look into them myself yet.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The only drawback I've heard it that it makes the ride stiffer. I'm sure in the long run, that means more chassis stress </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Stiffer is better when it comes to suspension from my understanding. Besides the chassis can handle the little bit of added stress if you can handle a little firmer ride. The chassis of the car will out last the motor. It does increase the stress on the suspension, but remember, the polyurethane bushings still have some give, they're just stiffer than the factory rubber ones. And they're softer than the metal parts of your suspension. Unless you are going rally racing in your 240, I don't think you'll hurt anything, just improve the handling and steering response.
My 2¢. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[khmerguy618]

energy suspension part number 71113g is the part number for the s13 ones u can only use the rear's from teh kit (i think 1082 or something like that) since the s14 has the solid front subframe bushing.

i put it in less side to side swagger but i'm still getting the clunk. I took apart the diff yesterday and checked it out and its all good. I gotta replace the rear diff carrier bushings in the subframe still and maybe get upper collars for the subframe.

Old thread just htought i'd put my 2cents in.

[youngmanvr4]

5 years old!

[JDMS1lv1a]

i had the same issue on my previous s14.like u guys said,its a common problem with s14's

[S14Josh]

I'll put money on it being your rear subframe bushings.

www.splparts.com
http://www.splparts.com/Parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Subframe/SPLSubframeCollars.jpg

like 83 bucks shipped. Only thing is they resonate more sound through the cabin. You'll hear "Whurring" sounds. Nothing major, and no more clunks.

Plus they take like 10 minutes to install.

[jspaeth]

I would bet $5,000 on this also....definitely need to get the SPL subrframe collars....one of the best parts for the money

I had this exact same thump upon shifting....it's the ass end of the car running into itself when you let off the clutch.

The collars take up all the slop and make everything feel much tighter

[gotta240]

Its your fucking subframe bushings as a few peeps posted above.

You can go all out, spend an entire day, and replace the bushings with new ones. Or just go buy inserts...

I didn't want solid metal so i got the polyurithane INSERTS... Work great. No clunk. Problem solved.

[emersonLP]

I have solid metal, not really any noticeable increase in noise. I only hear my exhaust if I hear anything. Also check your diff to make sure it is in snug. My diff was missing some washers that left a gap between my car and diff which caused it to move up and down slightly and make a similar clunk.

[youngmanvr4]

I had the same problem and I just put in SPL subframe collars and it fixed it.

[NotoriouS14]

i finally now know what i have to change. coo. my s14 does the same thing.im glad to find out that its a common thing.

[chan1985hachi]

mine does it too dont trip on it

[jspaeth]

Close this shit...haha I didn't even realize it was 5 years old when I responded

[koukimonster139]

yea thatd be rear sub frame bushings/diff bushings.

[S14DB]

2002 Rip