This started about 8 months ago before I put the car away for the winter.. hasn't gotten any worse but it is driving me nuts!

When I let the clutch out in first I hear a *click click click* coming from what sounds to be the drivers side rear, also happens when I am letting out the clutch in reverse. Other than that I drive the car around normally and don't hear it otherwise. Car still runs strong as ever and no problems otherwise but I would really like to hear some feedback from you guys as to what I should be checking.

Thanks,

Mick

 

What is the condition of the fluid in the differential?

Have you checked the rear axle shafts?

I knew someone with a Buick where the chrome had peeled on one of the wheels. Could this apply to your car?

Have you inspected the brakes on that side?

 

Changed the diff/tranny fluid last week, less than 100 miles on the new fluid. Brakes are in great shape. I don't know what you mean by the chrome peeling off, I only hear the sound when leaving from a dead stop.

No I have not checked the shaft, I will put that on my list of things to check!

 

I have the same thing. I have greased the axle splines with hopes to get rid of it but it is still there. I brought the car in to be aligned and the tech said that I need new rear suspension links because they have some play and the could potentially be the sound I am hearing. I have new links on the way and I am hoping this solves it.

 

I dont know how that would have happened to me so soon, I only have 17k on my car! but in any case please keep me updated because it is driving me crazy!

 

Is the e brake hanging up just a bit?

I would jack the car up and spin the rears. You will get a better feel for what is really making that noise.

 

Had that sound and it was a broken spline on a rear half shaft.

 

I had the clicking on both sides. Greased the axle splines and the niose went away. There are posts here that describe the process. You'll need to purchase a large socket.

 

OK folks here is your answer to the issue. Especially if it's bad enough that you can feel the car get pulled into the next lane while changing lanes.

It is the axle nut slightly loose.

What to do.
Remove center cap, Back the nut off just a bit, lift tire off the ground,drive it home with an impact, put tire back on ground, and then tighten it up with a breaker bar.....not sure what the torque specs are for that nut but you'll be standing on it to get it that tight. The socket size you'll need is something like a 30mm or 33mm something like that. You probably wont have one but your local auto zone type shop should have one available from the loan a tool dept. Heck I've even used there breaker bar and tightened one up right there in the parking lot before.

You will feel like you're driving a new car if you were having the pulling issue.
And if this has been this way for a while or it's happened more than once, then start looking for a bearing hub going out issues. You will hear some slight noise when cornering one direction or another, it will be subtle so listen close. Or, lift both wheels up, put car in gear get up to about 20 mph or so then shut of call and let it "coast" and get back to the rear of car and listen. You will know if a wheel hub is going out, there won't be any mistake about that sound.

Hope this helps, I know the axle nut was what the ticking sound was for me.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. Tomorrow I will tighten my axle nut and hope it fixes it.

Bob, if it is the half shaft the only way to tell if that is the problem would be to try replacing it, Im assuming?

 

axle nut was checked... click is still there.

 

Sorry to hear that wasn't the issue....it's cheap to fix lol

Make sure to let us know what you find out....

 

axle spline...the boot is dry..no lube in there...there is a knuckle in there and it is dry....you can get a used one for under $100...swap is easy if you have a lift

 

Check also the rear hub,I replaced the axle shaft and still had the noise,went ahead and changed the hub and fixed the problem.