Rearend clunk,, this can't be good

[inkadink]

This just started yesterday. I apply the brake and put my 97' Hoe in drive and I hear a clunk then shift into reverse and hear another very audible clunk.

I do not believe it to be the u-joints because I can crawl under the truck and grab the drive shaft and turn it back and forth about 5-10 degrees. But the play that is there is not in the u-joints but rather it is coming from the rear end at the rear pinion gear from inside the pumpkin.

It almost feels like there is a huge amount of play between the rear ring and pinion gear where they mesh.

I thought i would ask if any of you have had this happen before of may be able to shed a little more light onto why it is suddenly making this clunking noise and drive shaft play. Thanks again for any ideas.

 

[blueflamed03]

have you crawled under to listen while someone goes from R to D, and vise versa?

 

[ravingmadman]

Holy poop dude, go get a $4 rear diff gasket, and open it up. Your rear pumpkin is probably about to go. The gov-locks are notorious for blowing up. Check out my profile pictures to see what it looks like post mortem... Best of luck!!!

 

[inkadink]

Yes blueflamed03, I did that today and crawled under the hoe. I was able to isolate the clunk sound coming from the rear end. The drive shaft had no play in the u-joints. There was no slack/slop in the drive train until it went into the rear end/rear pumpkin at the rear pinion.

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 PM ----------

ravingmadman, I do have the G80 option as well. Man this can't be good

 

[inkadink]

Also,,,,This might be worth mentioning, I had my rear pinion seal replaced by a shop about 3 months ago. Do you think the rear pinion nut may have come loose to cause the sounds and symptoms I have mentioned?

 

[black95]

if the right torque spec was not place on the pinion shaft it could cause ring and pinion failure. you might not get very far, but go back to the shop and mention what happened, see what they say. sorry to hear about your issue

 

[bablurp]

sadly i just got something similar to this happening just yesterday... i come to a stop and i hear a clunking sound in the rear end.. i dont want to put more shop time on the tahoe

 

[blueflamed03]

sounds like it's time for a gasket/oil change and inspect rearend.

 

[ravingmadman]

Yeah, you know, as I was driving home last night, it donned on me it could also be your transfer case. But it looks like you already checked everything for play. But just a thought.

You definitely need to pull the cover off the diff, and get inside it, asap. When these things go, they go with a bang and you'll have to use your 4wd to drag your car, with the rear wheels locked, off the road. Pretty much the wost thing for your truck and manliness ever.

 

[Chevyrider619]

Hey INK..Did U end up finding what the problem is?? cause mannn!,I have the same problem right now too..that clank when you go from D to R...