Driveline Clunk

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Mar 22, 2003 | 07:29 PM

serelle1

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From: Woodbury, Minnesota

Driveline Clunk

I've been trying to find the cause of a clunk that occurs after stoping, then accelerating. If I apply a bit of throttle with the brake on, then accelerate, there is no clunk, so it sure sounds like its in the driveline. So far I've replaced a broken rear spring, all four ball joints and both radius arm bushings. I've looked for any indication of the frame moving due to a loose rivet, but don't see anything.

I had the driveline out today (it is a single piece with no slip joint) and the U-joints are not perfect, but definitely not loose enough to make such a clunk. I locked the companion flange on the rear differential and get less than an inch of rotation of a wheel, which Ford says is still in speck.

It's a 1993 F-150 with the 302 and the E4OD transmission.

Anyone have a suggestion of what else to try?

Mar 22, 2003 | 07:36 PM

78f3504x4

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From: Whately, Ma

Driveline Clunk

sounds like u-joints

Mar 22, 2003 | 07:43 PM

serelle1

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From: Woodbury, Minnesota

Driveline Clunk

Thanks for the quick reply. After removing the drive shaft, I pried on both the front and back U-joints and didn't detect any slop. They do have a lot less friction than new ones when I rotate them. Should I be able to feel any slop if they make a clunk?

Mar 23, 2003 | 09:12 PM

rustyolred27

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From: North Carolina

Driveline Clunk

could be axle wrap

Mar 24, 2003 | 06:21 AM

serelle1

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From: Woodbury, Minnesota

Driveline Clunk

I might have found something. When I took the driveline out to check the u-joints, I put some grease on the slip joint going into the transfer case. The splines had oil/grease on them, but perhaps not enough. The clunk is not completely gone now, but greatly reduced. I'm going to try to put a bit more grease on the splines and be sure to get it on all of them and see if that does it.

I am also going to change the u-joints when I take it out the next time. They seem ok, but have to have wear on them and are not a big expense.

Mar 24, 2003 | 06:44 PM

78f3504x4

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From: Whately, Ma

Driveline Clunk

your rear end pinion nut might be loose. Its the big nut inside the rear driveshaft that holds the yoke to the rear diff. Are your rear lift blocks shifting around?

Mar 25, 2003 | 07:57 AM

ar15sr

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Driveline Clunk

As 78f350 said check the rear companion flange. Mine was loose and the splines were worn. a new companion flange was about $50. Remember to get the "crush sleeve" to set the bearing clearance when doing the work. Actually I would get a couple of sleeves as they are cheap and I over crushed mine when I adjusted it the first time.

Bill