Click from differential
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 4
From: Hampstead NC
Click from differential
94 6-speed LT1 150k
Hi all, I replaced all the U-joints last year when curing a binding (no lube) drive shaft clicking problem. At the same time, did all the suspension swivels and rod ends, and drained and refilled the diff with Castrol LSD oil.
Ran great until a month ago (about 2000 miles since rebuild) when I noticed a metallic click when pulling away. The noise is a very different to the clicking/rattling of the "dry" drive shaft noise.
Got the car on the hoist today, and checked every U-joint on the drive shafts and the prop shaft. All the joints are tight.
When I rotated the prop shaft and held one drive shaft, I could get a "clicking" sound from the drive train. With help, I was able to really look at the prop shaft U-joint and it is tight when rotated ... the noise is definitely coming from the diff, and it almost looks like the differential flange is not moving as the shaft moves. It almost seems as if there is about 10-15 thou play between the flange and the diff input shaft.
I didn't disturb anything on the diff when I serviced the U-joints, but also, didn't think to check the large nut holding the diff input flange on the diff input shaft!
Can this flange come loose? And if yes, does that mean that the diff needs some work?
Thanks in advance!
Hi all, I replaced all the U-joints last year when curing a binding (no lube) drive shaft clicking problem. At the same time, did all the suspension swivels and rod ends, and drained and refilled the diff with Castrol LSD oil.
Ran great until a month ago (about 2000 miles since rebuild) when I noticed a metallic click when pulling away. The noise is a very different to the clicking/rattling of the "dry" drive shaft noise.
Got the car on the hoist today, and checked every U-joint on the drive shafts and the prop shaft. All the joints are tight.
When I rotated the prop shaft and held one drive shaft, I could get a "clicking" sound from the drive train. With help, I was able to really look at the prop shaft U-joint and it is tight when rotated ... the noise is definitely coming from the diff, and it almost looks like the differential flange is not moving as the shaft moves. It almost seems as if there is about 10-15 thou play between the flange and the diff input shaft.
I didn't disturb anything on the diff when I serviced the U-joints, but also, didn't think to check the large nut holding the diff input flange on the diff input shaft!
Can this flange come loose? And if yes, does that mean that the diff needs some work?
Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 381
From: Lunenburg MA
The pinion nut came loose on my '90. I was ready to pull the diff when I found it. Since these are shim set rather than a crush collar, you can just tighten it if it's loose (200 ft/lbs and lock-tight as I recall). Also check your axle nut torque.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
That is the first thing I would suggest too.
I had a '94 6 speed with 145k miles. I would hear it with the same timing as you, when stopped and just starting to move. It was just a click, and I couldn't hear it when the car was moving (maybe because of wind/road/motor/etc. noises) or it doesn't make that noise at speed. I replaced the washers and it stopped making the noise.
Try looking at the following link for a lot more info.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-washers.html
Good luck.
I had a '94 6 speed with 145k miles. I would hear it with the same timing as you, when stopped and just starting to move. It was just a click, and I couldn't hear it when the car was moving (maybe because of wind/road/motor/etc. noises) or it doesn't make that noise at speed. I replaced the washers and it stopped making the noise.
Try looking at the following link for a lot more info.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-washers.html
Good luck.
