Loud Clunking Noise from Rear

[dued]

Car: 1995 240sx Open Diff


I have a loud clunking noise coming from the rear of my car, there is a thunking sound, then the vibration transfers up to the trunk and it rattles along with the thump.

I've had a couple of instances with my transmission popping out of gear also, not sure if it's related. The sound occurs when I come to a complete stop or when I let off the gas suddenly.

Any Suggestions?

[devnull]

So you've been on zilvia since 2005 and you've managed to avoid all of the other threads about S14s with clunking rear ends?

Fine...it's the subframe bushings. They've crapped out on you and you need to replace them. You have several options, but it's a tough job.

The transmission problem is unlikely to be related, especially if you're still using the stock driveshaft.

[initial_drifter]

Worn gears, bad clutch, or even incorrectly adjusted linkages could cause the popping of gears

[HS13KLS]

i dont understand why they are saying its hard to replace those bushing.
drop the diff in 16 bolts.
burn out the bushings, put in solid stance ones.
bolt back in, and your done.

[Bigsyke]

^^have you done this though?


Usually due to the gas tank you have to actually remove the subframe from underneath the car, which is a huge headache.

And when you snap a subframe bolt like me, your then looking for a new chassis.

[CrimsonRockett]

I'm in the process of replacing the subframe bushings with SPL solids.

Have to admit, it was pretty simple.

Washed:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CrimsonRockett/CrimsonRockett%202009/DSCF1136.jpg

Burning:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CrimsonRockett/CrimsonRockett%202009/DSCF1138.jpg

Done:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CrimsonRockett/CrimsonRockett%202009/DSCF1139.jpg

I used a chisel to hammer the metal casings out.

Couple good smacks and it came right out(without scarring the subframe).

Definitely not hard.

Time consuming, maybe.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Or you can get aluminum subframe spacers with the open wedge for the top ones, wont even have to drop the subframe...put up the rear up on some jacks, support the subframe, pop the subframe nuts, slip in the spacer up top/below, pop the nuts back on, tigheten them up to spec and your done.

[GSXRJJordan]

Or you can get aluminum subframe spacers with the open wedge for the top ones, wont even have to drop the subframe...put up the rear up on some jacks, support the subframe, pop the subframe nuts, slip in the spacer up top/below, pop the nuts back on, tigheten them up to spec and your done.

Yup, that's definitely the better thing for this guy. Slotted spacers (aka "pineapples") are cheap and much simpler to put in.

[aNskY]

subframe bushing job is not so bad, i had it completed start to finish in about 3 hours (first time too. i did have a cutting torch tho it made getting the bushings out a lot easier)