Horrible Clattering/Clunking Noise from Passenger's Side Axle? WITH VIDEO

[MyBlack94GST]

Hey, I just put in an ACT 2100 about 450 miles ago. Lately I have been hearing this noise when coasting down. Doesn't matter if the clutch is in or out, or if I'm in gear or not. The CV boots are not torn. I took out the axle yesterday and noticed that the axle nut was not that tight. I put everything back together and made sure to tighten it, and now it's worse. Check the video please.

http://webdisk.berkeley.edu/~road/worstnoise.avi

Thanks in advance!

 

[Strm Trpr]

I'm beting since this noise just started, your wheel bearing took a dump on you.
That could've been why you felt that your axle nut was loose, then when you tightened it you just took up the slack in the
bearing races and now the noise got worse cuz the bearing is toast.
With the car jacked up and in neutral, try spining the PSFW and see if you hear that noise.
If so, chances are it's a bad wheel bearing.
Or it could be a bad bearing in the differential housing, but not likely.
Get under your car and listen while someone spins the tire for you.

I don't think it's your CV's, even though the boots aren't torn, the noise you'd hear would happen while turning, and that's not the case.

I don't think it's your clutch.
I didn't hear that noise til you started rolling.
Your clutch spins as soon as you start your car and never stops til you turn the car off. Do you hear that noise at idle at a stop light?
If not, rule out your clutch for sure..... I think...
This is all speculation, I'm not a mechanic, but I do know how a clutch works though.... and I've heard bad CV's too.
Just my $.02
Let me know what you find out, I'm kinda curious as to the accuracy of my prognosis....
Anyone with better knowledge please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Peace

 

[Strm Trpr]

Clean 94 BTW....
Santa Clara, Berkeley area hmmmn.
I work about 50mi from you....

 

[Strm Trpr]

How long have you had that LSD insert?

 

[MyBlack94GST]

I've had the BM insert in since April. I don't hear the noise when sitting at a stop light, just while rolling, most noticeably at coast-down. I'm leaning toward a wheel bearing failure too, but having never been through one I don't know what a bad wheel bearing sounds like. Feel free to come up to Berkeley and help me out. Or we can walk thru it like this Thanks for your help!

 

[MyBlack94GST]

OK, I jacked it up and spun the wheels. Something is rattling. I started it on the jack, and when I put it in gear (wheels spinning) it rattles. Sounds like it's coming from the transmission. Could my clutch be going out? Is this another ACT failure? Maybe my LSD Insert took a dump.

 

[Strm Trpr]

First, do you have a Haynes service manual for your car?
They have an awesome trouble shooting section in chapter 1 that can help you pinpoint what part is damaged or broken.
Get 1 if you don't have one, they're priceless.....

All right, I read your previous post, and turns out that you only hear the noise while rolling, not idling....

So, now I'm thinking it could be something broke or ready to break in your differential....

 

[MyBlack94GST]

Yep, I'm leaning towards the differential as well. I really don't know what could have happened though. What usually causes differential failure?

 

[Strm Trpr]

Wheel Hop will smoke a front differential, even in an AWD....

Well typically the spider gear blows up and then the bits take out other parts.
Here is a link to RRE site on a Quaife Install, they also show pics and give a brief description of what happens to a normal diff.
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/quaife.htm

Are both of your front wheels still spinning?

 

[MyBlack94GST]

They are both spinning... but I think it was only a matter of time until something grenaded. It's coming out on Saturday.

 

[Strm Trpr]

I sure would like to be there to help and learn, but I'm painting the inside of my house....
Good luck man, and let us know what you find out....

Peace

 

[MyBlack94GST]

Ok, we took it apart yesterday. Everything looks great, the spider gears look awesome, along with the LSD insert. However, we DID find a badly pitted differential bearing (the conical one that sits on the passenger's side). Our theory is that the pitting causes free play. The gears mesh fine under load, however when I let off the gas, maybe things get more out of spec and the gears don't catch 100% of the time. I need to find a bearing kit ASAP I was fully expecting to find carnage and shrapnel in that case, but we took it apart COMPLETELY (all shafts pulled, etc) and only found that. Any ideas where I can get this bearing+race?

 

[IMMORTALSPYDER]

Glat to hear it wasn't the lsd that went out cuz I'm putting one in right now

You should be able to order them at the dealer.

 

[Strm Trpr]

You can try this place...<a href = http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213934> Click Here</a>
They're a dealer from Ohio, but they're very reasonable, and you won't have to pay tax.
Give them a call, ask for Howard.