Rear ENd CLunk

Yesterday my son told me the Jeester had learned a new trick. When turning to the left it makes a hefty "clunk" sound. Not to the right, to the left only. Of course I had to experience this for myself (shame on me for doubting his word) and was treated to a fine display. Immediately pulled over and gave each of the rear wheels a shake with no results. Once home I jacked up the wheels one at a time and gave a hearty shake. No results. Jacked up both at the same time and shook - hard. Nothing. Checked the axle and wheel lug nuts. All fine.

Any ideas would be appreciated. It is a pretty healthy clunk that can be felt as well as heard, and it neither sounds nor feels good!

 

turning left transfers most of the weight to the right side of the Jeep. Look at right rear shock, spring bushings, u-bolts etc.
More severe problem might entail removing the differential cover and inspect spider gears/ring and pinion for broken/missing tooth/teeth.
Or...you could have a rear hub nut that's loose causing play between the hub and the key; or....a bad axle bearing on the right rear..
lots of little things to check before you start disassembling the rear axle.
My guess...right rear hub or axle bearing problem or spider gear problem.

 

No shame in needing to see for yourself, if you are going to be the one doing the work on it, you would have to know, even if you trusted his word.

That's why mechanics always take cars for a test run before they even quote you.

I actually had my Bronco II give me a hefty clunk once. After having a Jiffy Lube type place service the rear diff. I made a turn, huge clunk, and it felt like the rear diff locked up, and the drivers side rear tire lifted up off the ground about a foot. First and only time it ever did it.

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I have looked at all of the simple stuff again with no results. I do not have enough jack to get the whole thing off the ground at once w/ the suspension hanging slack, which is what I really need to do. It has an appointment with the local shop Thursday morning.

 

Do you by chance have a positraction differential in the jeepster. Had an Olds Cutlass that would do that as the fluid got old. Always to the left and on a real slow turn it almost felt like a broken axle. Changed to Corvette diff lube and it lasted about 10 times longer before it needed changing.

'Course that was back in the day.

 

Re: Rear ENd CLunk: The Sequel

Well, the spider gears are bad.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how to best do this? I mean replace to stock specification, or is there an upgrade I really should do?

The vehicle will see very little off road - fire trails in the mountains and perhaps some beach use.

 

which rear axle does the Jeep have ?
Dana 30
or Dana 44
44 is more desireable and stronger
the 30 could have a Power lock as well....

 

I have the Dana 30, open differential. I know the 44 would be better, but I really am not looking to put more serious cash into it. I am just trying to get it reliable. It mostly sat for 30 years before I bought it. (3000 miles in that time.) I expected to replace seals and gaskets, but not major mechanical systems. The rearend was rebuilt just 4000 miles ago - but that was 30 years past. Since I bought it in April we have logged just 1000 miles, mostly in town. Longest trip has been 50 miles total.