How Do I Fix This
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Usa
How Do I Fix This
While driving my 73 today I heard a clicking from the rear of the car at low speeds. I have attached photos of the side yokes on my rear end. The passenger side looks OK but driver side is a bit concerning. What has to be done to fix this. The rear end was rebuilt by Bair's about 8 years ago but I've only put about 8K miles on it since the rebuild.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 190
Likes: 30
From: Wollongong Great Southern Land
Sorry but your pics are a bit blurry to see anything, but I'm no mechanic. Is the drivers side hanging out a bit?
Does the noise happen all the time while driving at low speeds or only when changing gear or turning?
I have a 72 and my rear end had a noise, started of clicking but got worse, mainly when it was turning. Apparently it was the circlip that holds the half shaft, when it was rebuilt it had dropped off into the diff and the outer pinion was doing the mortar and pestle on it. Mechanic took it apart found the mangled circlip and installed a new one. This could be it but could be something else too. might need a little more info to go off
Does the noise happen all the time while driving at low speeds or only when changing gear or turning?
I have a 72 and my rear end had a noise, started of clicking but got worse, mainly when it was turning. Apparently it was the circlip that holds the half shaft, when it was rebuilt it had dropped off into the diff and the outer pinion was doing the mortar and pestle on it. Mechanic took it apart found the mangled circlip and installed a new one. This could be it but could be something else too. might need a little more info to go off
Last edited by 72downunder; Feb 24, 2017 at 08:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Usa
Yes the pics are not so good but you are spot on the drivers side is out about 3/8" to 1/2" passenger side is snug to the doff. I can only hear it at low speed & driving straight. I don't hear it when turning. Sounds like I will have to pull the diff & have it looked at.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 190
Likes: 30
From: Wollongong Great Southern Land
my wife drove behind me and she could see the drivers side half shaft spline going in and out of the diff, with the suspension movement , and that was going in a straight line.
It its a constant click click at the same tempo then it might be something rubbing. When you come of throttle and change gear do you still hear it or hear a thump, have excessive driveline shunt?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
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From: BC
You have lost the retainer clip off the side yoke and there is nothing holding it in. The clip will now be loose inside the rear diff and it is due to wear of the yoke end. I wouldn't drive it like that.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Feb 24, 2017 at 10:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
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From: Usa
I've parked it & plan on pulling the differential this weekend and open it up & see what I find.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Allenton Wisconsin
Correct me if I'm wrong; the differential housing is solid mounted and if the trailing arm assembly is good how can the half shaft move out that far? You can't really expect that small clip to hold the stub shaft in if the T/A front bushing is trash out. What else could cause the rear axel to want to travel out that far? The shock, spring, and sway bar don't secure the trailing end of the T/A from moving laterally I don't even understand the purpose of those clips. To make a case. My 6t8 has a Drag vette 6-link setup. No clips in differential. Through the entire rear suspension travel my stub axels have only 1/16" travel in and out. At least 15 different track days with speeds up to 145MPH and a lot of road miles. 0 problems. T
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Royal Canadian Navy
Correct me if I'm wrong; the differential housing is solid mounted and if the trailing arm assembly is good how can the half shaft move out that far? You can't really expect that small clip to hold the stub shaft in if the T/A front bushing is trash out. What else could cause the rear axel to want to travel out that far? The shock, spring, and sway bar don't secure the trailing end of the T/A from moving laterally I don't even understand the purpose of those clips. To make a case. My 6t8 has a Drag vette 6-link setup. No clips in differential. Through the entire rear suspension travel my stub axels have only 1/16" travel in and out. At least 15 different track days with speeds up to 145MPH and a lot of road miles. 0 problems. T
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I've been driving mine for 11 years with a broken clip. I trusted mechanic who knows Corvettes told me not to worry about it until I was ready to do a full rebuild, that would be the time to take care of the missing clip.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
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From: Indy Indiana
the clips should be hardened.. but should not have fallen off.. the yoke axles should be hardened and should not be worn hardly at all after 8K miles.. your rebuilder could have used cheap soft chinese parts.. all should not have done that unless you are jumping railroad tracks or getting airborne somehow..
here's what it should look like..
here's what it should look like..
Drifting
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Oldtimer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lincoln, CA
Here is what my worn ends look like. Still room before the C clip.
And here is a video of what a missing C-clip does when under load. Notice the drastic shift in alignment when the stub moves in and out.
And here is a video of what a missing C-clip does when under load. Notice the drastic shift in alignment when the stub moves in and out.
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Pro
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From: Usa