Clunking in time with tire rotation

[TopsailBeach]

The 18 year old driver (my son) reports that driving at around 45 uphill, clunking begins. From that point, it's really loud. Sounds like it's coming from all over the car, and appears to be correlated with tire rotation--definitely NOT with engine speed. He is only a few blocks from home, so he limps to the driveway. I can hear him from the living room sofa!!

I've searched other threads and it sounds like the clutch. I'm surprised that there was no warning, if it's the clutch. Certainly experts on this board have opinions---PLEASE help!!!

[Sabyre]

Can he feel anything or just hear it?

[TopsailBeach]

Both. This was serious loud. I could hear him from the sofa inside, as he came into the driveway. Car was pulling (something was working) but was clunking in time with tire rotation.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

cv joint?

[Sabyre]

Extremely loud... can feel what? Perhaps flat spot on tire, broken studs, broken belt in tire, something to do with torque tube, broken CV.

Not sure with limited info but those are some suggestions.

Check your sock tension.

[SoCal Driver]

I would check the bolts on all of the CV joints first. Then check the large nut on each of the back axles. This should bet torqued to 350 ft lbs. If you can turn the nut with your fingers or easily with a large crescent then you are looking at rear bearings, hub and stub axle.

[Roger Hall]

The hamster probably died and his carcaus is flopping around in there. happened to me once...

[TopsailBeach]

Got it on jackstands this afternoon and had a good look. CV bolts are tight, wheels are tight. The problem isn't in the clutch, but is in the transmission/differential. With the car in 5th both wheels spin and there is bumping from the cv joints. Occassionally, it grabs and then releases.

We're nearly done dropping the transmission--just the two bolts on the mount and the bolts on the bell housing and we're done. Now to figure out the least expensive way to get this done.

Any reasonable rebuilt transmission exchange businesses out there?

[idontknow]

If you haven't pulled the tranny out yet, check the CV joints. Put the car in 1st gear and rotate the rear tire back and forth. hold the CV joint /driveaxle in one hand and feel the difference of movement. If a/many cv joint/s are bad, you'll probably hear the clunking but definitely feel a difference in movement. eg. CV joint moves, drive axle does not = bad CV joint. If all is good and you think it's the ring and pinion, pop the little inspection plug from the forward nose cone of the tranny and rotate the tire again. If the driveline shaft doesnt move but the wheel does, it's in the tranny. If the driveline shaft does move, it's not in the rear end.

Hope it helps. I had all 4 CV joints bad when I got my car. The car made a clunking noise every time applied power or shifted. Didn't think too much of it. Eventually one of the CVs started making BAD clunking noises whenever the car was rolling. After replacing the CV joints I found that the clunking action was also eroding the R&P. $320 for 4 new CVs and $1200 for a rebuilt tranny and I/my bank account have learned a very valuable lesson.

[SoCal Driver]

Sounds like the ring and pinion took a big one. Happens when one thinks the car is a Ricer street racer (dragster).

[TopsailBeach]

You're on it SoCal--thanks! Got the transmission out this evening. It's easy to feel the missing teeth in the ring/pinion match up when they come around.

Oh well....now the real difficult decision: used or rebuilt? Anyone have any leads for a deal near North Carolina?

[vital-transform]

Stuttgart haus of parts is in Mooresville, NC 800 664 4708
www.stuttgarthaus.com

[Roger Hall]

I would go with a used tranny

[TopsailBeach]

Stuttgart Haus it is.

Great conversation with James. He's filling the tranny w/Redline oil and getting it ready for pickup tomorrow, and will help the boy make certain its the correct fit. Not a terrible price, but a heck of a lot more than I want to pay. Since the boy's going to Nascar Technical Institute in Mooresville in the summer, it'll also be good for him to meet these guys.

What a board. Thanks--

[vital-transform]

glad to hear it worked out well...where is Mooresville in relation to Topsail and Raleigh? and what is the Nascar Institute all about?

[TopsailBeach]

Mooresville is about 2.5 hours west of Raleigh, which is about 2.5 hours northwest of Topsail.

NTI has a pretty good website. Here's the fact sheet if you are interested.

http://www.ntieducation.com/nti_fact.asp

[TopsailBeach]

Used transmission from Stuttgart Haus. FYI: price a little too high, though---$950. Oh well, whatever it takes to get the car back on the road. At least it's cheaper than a rebuild. Live and learn.....