Transmission noise or driveshaft noise?

[WisconsinMonSTAR]

Hey fellas, I need your help with diagnosing a mysterious noise that has bothering me for quite some time now. It sounds almost like a bell ringing between 1 and 3 times, depending on the circumstances. When I shift, it makes a metal on metal "clinking" sound. My friend and I were trying to figure it out and what we did was get the car rolling in first gear, pushed the clutch in, and when we moved the shifter is when the *clink* would happen. The crazy part is, after it does it that one time, with the clutch still pushed in, I can move the shifter through every gear with no noise what so ever. I lifted the car up and fiddled around with the driveshaft. There was no play in it at all except for some rotational play (about an inch or less of free rotation) which I figure is probably normal. When I rotate it back and forth, I can recreate the ringing noise fairly well.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as what I can check and report back with? Does anyone know what is going on? How to cure it? All responses are welcome. Thank you

 

[DSM1G90]

What would happen if you put the front end on jackstands to get the weight off the axles and then try this trick again so one can 'earball' it somewhat closer to (and if) find the sound.

 

[WisconsinMonSTAR]

Thanks for the reply! I did lift the front end up and when I twisted the driveshaft, I heard the ringing coming more from the rear of the car. I tested the rear diff for slop, and there was no wiggle at all with the car in gear.

One note I would like to make is that the sound comes exclusively from initially taking the car out of the gear it is in. For example, I just got the car rolling in first gear, clutch in, the moment I pull the shift knob from gear, it clinks. I can move the shifter freely at that point with no noise at all.

 

[DSM1G90]

Okey, you're an AWD then. How are the "U" joints at each end of the drive shaft - any vertical play when you push up on each end?

 

[WisconsinMonSTAR]

The u joints seem fine, but then again, I'm no expert. They don't move really but they don't feel solid as a rock. I've pinpointed the sound to be coming from the middle, which I believe is the carrier bearing? It has a little bit of wiggle as well. I'll go out and double check the u joints in a few minutes when my buddy gets here. Thanks again!

 

[DSM1G90]

Seen carrier bearings go pretty bad when they get age on them .... good luck - DSM

 

[92AWDHX40]

My entire driveshaft was toast from front to rear, nice to get that all done at once.

 

[mjtnismo]

Check your rear differential bushings (2 front, 2 rear) and your rear sub frame bushings (there are 4) for rot or damage. A lot of people have this problem when their bushings go bad.

 

[WisconsinMonSTAR]

So the problem is still persisting. I went under the car and the carrier bearings having some play in them (I can move the driveshaft around inside them, and also, even after torqing them down, the whole bearing unit/mount has a pretty decent amount of play. Maybe the mounting bushings are bad? Some info id like to add is that the clunking NEVER happens if im shifting in the middle of a turn. It ONLY happens when I am shifting while going straight. I ordered new carrier bearings and have a few u joints that will be going on the car sometime next week. If anyone can throw some info/thoughts on the issue my way, I would appreciate that.