I get a klunking noise from the driver side of my axle right near the drum when I go over the slightest bumps.. it started after I put on LCAs and a panhard rod. sounds just like I have a loose lug nut but I tightened the **** out of em and it doesnt help.

I took it to a race shop and the guy said that the free play of the axle was causing the flange to hit the housing. he said that something in the center section (I cant remember what he mentioned it was) was getting worn.

I have my old non posi axle that I could give them to fit with a posi and put in but I was just curious to see if anyone here has had a simmilar problem.

thanks

 

Sure, it's not from underneath you, maybe a tranny mount problem.

 

thats odd, so everything is tight and nothing is binding...

 

sounds like your trans mount. they are easy to replace cheap to

 

If it started after you put new LCA's on its a good bet thats where the noise is coming from....aftermarket LCA's that have stiffer bushings (aluminum or urethane) tend to make quite a bit of noise...if they come equiped with zerk(grease) fittings, make sure you grease them liberally and quite often, that will make a big difference.

it could also be a loose or broken sway bar link that makes that sound, ive had that happen as well. I highly doubt that its coming from the end play in your axle.

my hotchkis lca's do that, which means its time to grease them again, and after i do that, no more noise.

oh ya, if you have an aftermarket panhard rod, make sure you grease that too if its equipped

 

the problem has been there for awhile and I greased the H*LL out of all the new bushings BUT--

do you really think it could be a sway bar bushing??
not an end link but the bushing
the guy at the dealership told me that it was worn.

BTW I know its not a tranny mount cause I have had that break before and replaced it with an energy susp.

The thing I cant figure out is if it was the sway bar then why would it klunk when I push and pull on the back of the car?

and it seems like the noise is unmistakably coming from behind the brake drum but I will double check the sway bar bushing

Thanks for the replies.

 

I am still stumped as to why the axle tube is so loose.

I jacked up the axle finnaly and it is the axle tube.
it just moves in and out like 1/8 inch or less but makes this klunking noise. at the flange right behind the drum.

what is worn down in the center section that is allowing this axle play?

 

1/8" is about right.

It's probably either the upper shock mount broken, or the sway bar bracket loose.

 

thanks

 

Was this problem ever fixed? I have a similar problem after fitting new LCA's and panhard rod

Thanks

Simon

 

The problem was the axles had too much endplay all along and the stiffer LCA's just allowed me to hear the noise. I have a new rear and no more klunking...

 

Wouldn't offset axle bearings fix that a lot cheaper than an R and R of the rear end?

 

I got my problem sorted. I was convinced that it was axle endplay as when I jacked the car and pulled/pushed the wheel it seemed to make the same clonking sound and have too much play.
Turned out to be a loose bolt on the LCA. Even though I tightened all the bolts like hell. Yesterday I tried hitting the LCA with the palm of my hand near where they bolt onto the body and I heard a clonk. I used a spanner and another trolley jack to turn the end of the spanner to get it tight enough. I think I have read people sometimes need to fit a washer to take up the slack.
Anyway its great to get it fixed.
Thanks

Simon

88 Camaro 350

 

sounds like axle bearing