axle noise
 

hey all
my axle is making a slight clunking sound when i take off so i changed the fluid and took a look inside the diff gave it the once over and everything is fine runout is good backlash is within specs so i checked my u-joints they are fine to, the slip yoke is firm yet when i turn the shaft manualy when it`s on the lift i have about 3/16 play before the gears feel like they engage what else could it be if i have to i`ll put new gears in. could it be the dam c clips making all the noise:(

Mine does the same thing if I have to slow down quikly.. I have been told is cause by slack in the gear set and it is actually the pinion and ring teeth striking each other because there's a small gap between them.... I don't know if this is the same in your case, but a rear-end shop should be able to answer that for you, other than being an obnoxious noise, I don't know if it would be damaging to the set... I would think after years of it, it may weaken some of the teeth, but I am not a mechanic...

My rearend has "clunked" a little since the car was new, but only at very slow speeds (1-2 mph) when turning into or backing out of the drive way, which has a very small curb to go over (the slight curb is what causes the clunk), especially when turning sharply when going backward. My '89 5.0 had clunked a little also, so I just figure it's something genetic in the Stang line. Doesn't really bother me though. I never clunk going forward over a smooth surface. Anyways, sounds like you've got something going different, just thought I'd add my two clunking cents. By the way, my driveway clunking go much louder when I added lower control arms.