Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Rear end clunk

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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #1  
shugart111's Avatar
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From: Thorndale, Texas
Car: 1987 firebird
Engine: lg4
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Rear end clunk

I just installed a rear end from a 96 camaro 3.42 gears posi and disk brakes. It was fine for the first 2 days now out if nowhere it clunks over every single bump on the drivers side. I've made sure everything is tight could the posi be just worn on the drivers side? It does it the same reguardless of speed or side of bump but doesn't do it if I push down on suspension. I've also made sure everything is tight and secure
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 02:34 PM
  #2  
stephenscamaro's Avatar
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From: Hermiston, Oregon
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 2.8 to 383
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Rear end clunk

Originally Posted by shugart111
I just installed a rear end from a 96 camaro 3.42 gears posi and disk brakes. It was fine for the first 2 days now out if nowhere it clunks over every single bump on the drivers side. I've made sure everything is tight could the posi be just worn on the drivers side? It does it the same reguardless of speed or side of bump but doesn't do it if I push down on suspension. I've also made sure everything is tight and secure
Jack up the axle on one side so that the tire is one inch off the ground, then place a jack handle under the tire and pull up. There should be no play or ability to go up and down. Do this on both sides~ This is a good starting point anyway.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 02:37 PM
  #3  
shugart111's Avatar
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From: Thorndale, Texas
Car: 1987 firebird
Engine: lg4
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Rear end clunk

Originally Posted by stephenscamaro
Jack up the axle on one side so that the tire is one inch off the ground, then place a jack handle under the tire and pull up. There should be no play or ability to go up and down. Do this on both sides~ This is a good starting point anyway.
Okay I'll try that when I get off work. I do know it has some play in and out and I can make a sound if I hit it in but I don't think it's the same sound I hear while driving
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 03:20 PM
  #4  
Jorlain's Avatar
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From: Brainerd, MN
Car: '84 Trans Am
Engine: 357 SBC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73, Torsen Diff
Re: Rear end clunk

The in and out play is usually normal due to the c-clip retention style of axle shafts.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 05:21 PM
  #5  
sofakingdom's Avatar
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Re: Rear end clunk

Sounds like the top of the left shock has broke out the floor pan.

Pop the rear seat out and pull back the carpet and lift out the foam thingy and look.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
Formula-Finatic's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Pacific Northwest
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula 5.0
Engine: Built L03
Transmission: WC T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.5" 10 bolt lsd
Re: Rear end clunk

Not sure if this is gonna help but could it be the shock? The top mount to the body worked loose on my 91' after about a month I used lock tight and the hardware that came with the replacement shock. under load sitting on the ground and when jacked by the axle everything was tight. On bumps I couldn't feel any loss in stability that would point me to the shock. But sure enough I pulled back the carpet moved the foam peice and the nut had backed off about 1/4 inch just enough for the bugger to make a thump noise during rapid compression and recoil on the drivers side. I know you said you checked everything was tight but the 2 mins to double check your shocks could be worth it especially if the shocks you used or got with the rear end arent the greatest. Some companies really skimp when it comes to using quality hardware. Hope it's a simple fix if it's the rear end and it's limited slip/posi usually you'd come across noises while cornering or changing the surface your driving on also the noise would be a pop or a snapping sound. Clunk noise sounds like a suspension issue to me. if its non suspension doing the test described by Stephen is also a great idea and a quick way to diagnose your problem if it's the read end.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 07:02 PM
  #7  
shugart111's Avatar
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From: Thorndale, Texas
Car: 1987 firebird
Engine: lg4
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Rear end clunk

Originally Posted by stephenscamaro
Jack up the axle on one side so that the tire is one inch off the ground, then place a jack handle under the tire and pull up. There should be no play or ability to go up and down. Do this on both sides~ This is a good starting point anyway.
i did this and i couldn't see any real play but i think i can hear the noise. it sound like the tire and rotor are hitting together but the lugnuts are tight.

i also checked the upper shock mount and its fine. its forsure coming from the rotor/ tire area.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 07:52 PM
  #8  
sofakingdom's Avatar
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Car: Yes
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Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Rear end clunk

Another thing you might want to look at is the 2 bolts that hold on the chassis bracket for the sway bar end link. They need to be EFFING tight.
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Old Apr 8, 2016 | 11:05 PM
  #9  
novaderrik's Avatar
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From: Howard Lake, MN
Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Rear end clunk

are you sure the clunk isn't coming from the torque arm mount on the trans coming loose or the trans mount breaking and allowing the trans to hit the floor?
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Old Apr 9, 2016 | 12:18 AM
  #10  
stephenscamaro's Avatar
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From: Hermiston, Oregon
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 2.8 to 383
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Rear end clunk

Originally Posted by shugart111
i did this and i couldn't see any real play but i think i can hear the noise. it sound like the tire and rotor are hitting together but the lugnuts are tight.

i also checked the upper shock mount and its fine. its forsure coming from the rotor/ tire area.
Sounds like a bad wheel bearing.
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Old Apr 11, 2016 | 09:37 AM
  #11  
shugart111's Avatar
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From: Thorndale, Texas
Car: 1987 firebird
Engine: lg4
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Rear end clunk

So I took everything on that side apart and put it back together and now the noise is gone only thing I can think of is I tightened control arms without suspension being compressed the first time but it's gone now so I'm happy thanks for yalls help
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