Rear differential (I believe) noise/vibration

[berto1]

My S14 used to clunk into drive-ways and parking lots until I added some Peak Performance poly subframe spacer bushings 3 years ago. Also swapped all of the control arms for battle version adjustable units at the same time, and replaced bushings on the knuckle and sway bar (19mm JDM unit). The car has been tight and quiet, except for a random 'clonk' seeming to come from the rear end every once and a while when I let off the throttle. The car drives quiet and smooth around town and 80mph + on the freeway with no issue...untill...

I squeeze 5 people into the damn thing like I did last night... drunk friends in Belmont Shore = I'm the DD. Anyways...

Upon acceleration I get this weird vibration/wabble noise coming from the rear end. When I cruise or let off the throttle the noise goes away. After I dropped people off the noise went away and it was as before. I have not changed out the rear differential bushings, could this be it? I'm hoping its not something worse. If you've had this problem please tell me how you resolved it! :spank:

[ghoti]

I've had this happen with a J30 diff which also has bushing in the diff ears like the S14. I just had to tighten those bolts, maybe you should try that. Something else that I can think of is wheel hop.

[berto1]

Before I added the peak performance spacer bushing I had wheelhop... non-existent since then. I'll try tightening the bolts!

[GreenMNTDC5]

Did tightening the bolts work for you?

[Mikester]

LOL This thread is nearly 4 months old. I doubt he will reply ;)

[GreenMNTDC5]

Worth a shot, worst case i'm out .0003 seconds of my time.

[berto1]

The diff is coming out and new bushings are going on. Also installing a helical LSD at the same time since it will be out. Subframe seems to still be pretty solid all around. I'll update once everything is back on.