I did some research but it could be any number of things...so here's mine.

Problem: Clunking sound from rear, possibly left rear.

Time noticed problem: At least within the past week or so..

Things done to the car within the past 2 or so weeks: Changed a left rear CV Half-shaft due to a worn out boot that spewed grease everywhere. Replaced it that day. Also auto-X this past weekend at the Charlotte Corvette/Chevy Show. I can't recall if I remember hearing the clunking before the auto-x, but it is possible.

When the problem happens: If I'm at a stop, and I put it in gear and slowly roll into it, I can hear a clunk on occasion. And when I let off the gas (at slow speeds) and the weight transfers to the front, I can hear it clunk again. Basically it clunks once every time the weight transfers from front to rear and or vice versa. I mainly notice it at slow speeds, like in parking lots, neighborhoods, etc...especially in 1st gear if I slowly accelerate and then let off the gas, it will clunk, and then clunk when I apply some gas again.

Is it the Diff? I DO notice that it looks like it "used to be damp" on both sides where the axles exit..doesn't appear to be anything fresh, but like at one point fluid came out the sides? Could it be the CV Half-shaft I just put in? Spindle nut (I torqued it correctly).

Obviously, being conscious of it, I am not doing any "launching from a stop" type driving..if I get on it, it's from a roll while weight is still towards the rear.

:EDIT:

See post #12

 

tighten town the axle nuts on both sides of the car.

 

I'll do that right after this diff fluid change..

 

Well fluid level was full, so that rules out leaking diff, right?

Next will be checking of the spindle nuts.

 

Here's a WAG.. check the end links..

 

I just realized that I don't have the correct sized allen wrenches to do the tie rod end and upper spindle (the two things I disconnected for the removal of the cv halfshaft). However, by applying a open wrench to them, I can turn them, albeit, with some effort. Could either one of those make the clunking noise?

I've had jeeps before that would make that kind of noise...and it was sloppy play in the driveshaft that would mean something in the diff was going out. It feels like a driveline mechanical slack...not necessarily a suspension component...HOWEVER, the symptoms could just as well point to one of those two things as well..since weight transfer affects them. I tried rocking the car back and forth in neutral the other day in the garage and didn't feel or hear any clunking..so another point towards the suspension pieces not being properly tightened down..

 

Most obvious things first. Do you have anything in the trunk storage compartments rattling back and forth? Call me dumb but you never know.

I may be way off but could it be a torque tube bushing?

 

Well after the diff fluid change and slight tightening of the end links, spindle nut and upper spindle bolt I don't have any more clunking! Hell yeah!

See next post..

 

Clunking is back. Or maybe it never really went away, who knows. I've since taken it to drag strips and autox. I'll put it on a lift tomorrow to try to find the source.

 

And you are sure the endlinks are OK? Did you check and re-torque the endlink nuts?

 

Sub'ing for hopefully a solution. I've had this clunk since I did my transmission/diff swap, it seems like. The axle nuts are properly torqued and the endlinks are brand new. Fluid is new and has under 10k on it.

 

Clunking has stopped. Here's all that I did:

1) Tightened the DS spindle nut for good measure, not sure if it budged.
2) Tightened both rear tie rod endlink nuts.
3) Tightened the rear shock bolts.
4) Tightened the rear sway bar mounting straps (to the cradle) because they were quite loose.
5) Replaced the stock worn out (shot) sway bar end link on driver side (had done the right side a while ago, and forgot to do left).

And there you have it...no more clunk.

 

#4 has to be it!

 

did you grease the splines in the cv?

 

I did not..

 

do that it will solve ur issue , had same issue with mine.

 

Well as I stated earlier, the clunking went away after I tightened the aforementioned things..

How do I grease the splines now that it is already in the car? Is there an "easy" way?

 

Silly Vette dude... "easy" haha!

Remove wheel, CV nut, brake calipers, tow link, and ball joint. Slide hub forward and grease up splines then reverse. Looking at about 1-1.5 hours per side if you have all the right tools.

This is actually something that is worth the effort and is easy to do... just time consuming.

 

tighten town the axle nuts on both sides of the car.

 

tighten town the axle nuts on both sides of the car.