Rear Axle Noise

Topic: Rear Axle Noise (Read 3237 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear Axle Noise

March 20, 2005, 12:42:09 AM

I went to an AutoX school today to sharpen my skills, on break I happen to lean against the rear left side of my car, when I leaned on it it made a clunk noise. I starded to shake the car side to side and continued to hear a clunk noise. I lifted the rear of the vehicle up of the ground and was able to move the the rear wheel back and fourth about 3/4 of an inch, and it also made a clunk. Has anybody ever incountered this before. Both sides are doin the same so that would lead me to belive that its normal but the a hell of a lot of play for an axle shaft.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #1 – March 20, 2005, 01:26:54 AM

Yup, I don't reckon that is too good right there. :hick:

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #2 – March 20, 2005, 03:43:58 AM

My '85 T-bird did that ever since I got it (the clunk, not sure about a full 3/4" play in the wheel). It was also accompanied by a rear gear whine that changed pitch depending on whether you were turning or not. A few months ago the 7.5 let go and the car's been sitting since.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #3 – March 20, 2005, 04:13:11 AM

My tbird does the 'clunk clunk' when you rock it from side to side but i'm not too sure about the 3/4" of play, that sounds excessive to me.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #4 – March 20, 2005, 10:17:10 AM

The clunk is normal due to the type of axle retainers these cars use. The axle slides in further than it normally seats, then you insert a C-clip, then you pull the axle back out until the C-clip prevents it from coming any further, and then a pin goes through the diff between the two axles. This pin is for the spider gears but it also keeps the axles from sliding back in to the point that the C-clips could fall out. By its design there is a lo of slop in the setup. 3/4" of play isn't normal, though. If you really have that much play I would strongly recommend that you remove the diff cover and inspect the C-clips, axle ends and spider gear pin.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #5 – March 20, 2005, 09:20:37 PM

I will probably check that out on monday when I get to the shop, Just in case there is something wrong this may be a good time to install the 3.73s and rebuild the clutch paks, and since the fluid has probably never be changed in 158k miles I might as well replace all of the bearings, any body know where I can get a complete bering kit for an 8.8 :D

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #6 – March 20, 2005, 10:57:43 PM

When I rebuilt the 7.5 in my car NAPA had all the bearings and seals that I needed in stock.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #7 – March 21, 2005, 12:15:42 AM

Call summit they have a whole raer axle kit including shims and what not for a new rear setup, runs about $120

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #8 – March 21, 2005, 07:22:34 PM

Checked the end play on the axles at the shop today with a dial indicator, the Drivers side axle is .025 thousands and the passenger side is .035 thousands. Does anybody have any specs because I couldn't find anything on ALLDATA.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #9 – March 21, 2005, 09:47:16 PM

Quote from: bluebird46

Checked the end play on the axles at the shop today with a dial indicator, the Drivers side axle is .025 thousands and the passenger side is .035 thousands. Does anybody have any specs because I couldn't find anything on ALLDATA.

This thread should help you out.
http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773&highlight=endplay
I looked in my '85 Helm manual, but didn't find an endplay/sideplay spec.

On Edit: My friend found the endplay spec. in his Helm. The maximum is .030. There is no minimum set. I wouldn't go less than .006-.008 so as to keep the pinion shaft from burning up.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #10 – March 22, 2005, 10:49:24 AM

Well guess its time to rebuild the rear end. One question though. should I buy new axles for the car. I was looking at the summit sight and found that Moser makes 4-lug axles for the 8.8, but I don't know what legth would be correct for my axle. Any body know the axle lenth for a TC rear end?

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #11 – March 22, 2005, 11:13:05 AM

Quote from: bluebird46

Well guess its time to rebuild the rear end.

You mean rebuild the traction lock, not the entire rear end...right?

Quote from: bluebird46

One question though. should I buy new axles for the car.

I don't think you need to. You're not putting out a lot of power. You'll probably wear out the axles' bearing race before you snap one in half.

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #12 – March 22, 2005, 12:06:53 PM

Quote from: JeremyB

You mean rebuild the traction lock, not the entire rear end...right?

Why not! it has almost 160,000 miles on it might as well replace all the bearings and seals, and install the 3.73 gears I have for it :D

Re: Rear Axle Noise

Reply #13 – March 22, 2005, 06:12:01 PM

The '84 shop manual says if the axle end play is more than 0.025 inch it can be fixed by putting a shim behind the C-Washer.
Using the C-Washer as a template make a shim the same shape as the C-Washer.
The axle must have a minimum end play of 0.005 inch.