Bad U Joint or Degrading Rear End

[ATM]

While driving slow, I hear a “click, click, click” sound. I assumed that it was a bad U Joint, I just looked though and they seem tight. I’m thinking it way be the rear end.

 

[COPO]

I 2nd that.

 

[DougD]

Dry or worn u-joints tend to be much noisier at speeds, so it does sound like a tooth broken off in the rear.

 

[ATM]

Well, seems like the 4.11’s need to go. How do I know what to buy? I’ll likely go 3.73, is it like a kit I can get?

 

[Gary S]

I've had dried out U joints make a clicking sound at slow speeds and show no issues when spun up to higher speeds. My way of dealing with it would be to replace the U joints first before tearing into the rear end. U Joints are cheap compared to anything in the diff.

 

[ATM]

I was thinking this. Cheap troubleshooting. Because if I go for the diff, why not swap to a stronger rear end with disc brakes…

 

[ATM]

The whole rear end assembly is not in the cards for now, I’ll do that later, once it’s painted. For now I will swap the U joints and try to find someplace to fix the rear, that doesn’t seem very DIY from watching over the years.

 

[mallard]

If you take the driveshaft off and move the front yoke around you can tell quite quickly if it moves stiffly & rough. Same with the rear, just pivot the joint around carefully. (Maybe an end cap comes off & its contents are like dry powder)

 

[mallard]

While driving slow, I hear a “click, click, click” sound. I assumed that it was a bad U Joint, I just looked though and they seem tight. I’m thinking it way be the rear end.

Then I listened to your video. Drop the driveshaft and then see if the clunk is there when you twist the yoke. Sounds like problems inside.

 

[ATM]

That’s a plan. I’m going to do a bit of work on my sons 92 Camaro for a bit.