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Rear knocking noise?

NicholasCesca

Active member
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Messages
25
Location
New York
Hey!

I'm new here, I purchased this VR4 that was listed on the forum here (https://www.galantvr4.org/threads/sold-1991-vr4-1410-2000-northern-nj.38135/)

It's pretty clean, with some rust (but what can you do for the year)

The only issue I am having is there is a rotating knocking noise in the driver-side rear.

The previous owner said it was carrier bearings, but I checked both and they feel fine (Old but fine)

Axels have normal in-and-out play, along with the rear end having a bit more backlash than I'd like, but it's a little loose.

I'm going to check the rear diff fluid this weekend (after I clean the undercarriage)


Does anyone have any ideas?? Before I go digging a crazy amount, I wanted to see if anyone else had issues like this.





Thanks,

Nick
 

Turbo99

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Messages
79
Location
Haverhill, MA
There are only so many things that rotate in the rear. Is it a constant thumping or is it sporadic?

If you can get the car stable on 4 jackstands or have access to a lift you can put it in gear and have things rotate and see if you can track down exactly where the noise is coming from.
 

ggsxkid

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Messages
918
Location
La vergne TN/Lake Zurich IL
I've had a drive line vibration like it. It was only on decel and from 2-3k rpm. For me I swapped a trans with matching t-case, and rebuilt the driveshaft with no change after either. It was only after I swapped out the clutch and flywheel then it disappeared. Now the rivets for the hub on the clutch disk were loose but nothing I thought would cause a drive line vibration. After replacing the clutch I got 300 miles of vibration free goodness. Then I got what you described above. A full on knocking noise in the rear at any speed both in and out of gear/coasting. Put the car on stands everything looked all good nothing out of the ordinary. Drove it in the air on stands, no big time clucking noise or drive line that looked out of wack. And when driving in the air a drive line noise was heard but it lead back to the trans/t case area. Put it back on the ground and drove it afterwards, no hardcore knocking noise like drive before. I drained all the fluids. T-case and rear end were fine the trans was silvery/sparkly with metal. I'm thinking maybe it was the trans?? I bought another unit and t case to swap in and I'll go from there.
 

NicholasCesca

Active member
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Messages
25
Location
New York
There are only so many things that rotate in the rear. Is it a constant thumping or is it sporadic?

If you can get the car stable on 4 jackstands or have access to a lift you can put it in gear and have things rotate and see if you can track down exactly where the noise is coming from.
I plan on getting it on stands when I clean the underside, the interior is an ABSOLUTE mess.
 

NicholasCesca

Active member
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Messages
25
Location
New York
I've had a drive line vibration like it. It was only on decel and from 2-3k rpm. For me I swapped a trans with matching t-case, and rebuilt the driveshaft with no change after either. It was only after I swapped out the clutch and flywheel then it disappeared. Now the rivets for the hub on the clutch disk were loose but nothing I thought would cause a drive line vibration. After replacing the clutch I got 300 miles of vibration free goodness. Then I got what you described above. A full on knocking noise in the rear at any speed both in and out of gear/coasting. Put the car on stands everything looked all good nothing out of the ordinary. Drove it in the air on stands, no big time clucking noise or drive line that looked out of wack. And when driving in the air a drive line noise was heard but it lead back to the trans/t case area. Put it back on the ground and drove it afterwards, no hardcore knocking noise like drive before. I drained all the fluids. T-case and rear end were fine the trans was silvery/sparkly with metal. I'm thinking maybe it was the trans?? I bought another unit and t case to swap in and I'll go from there.
I'm really hoping it isn't the trans. I do not feel like replacing it. Its definitely coming from the driver-side rear. Doesn't happen under acceleration, but does when coasting.
 

slugsgomoo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
3,776
Location
Tacoma, WA
Since you mentioned it seems more to the one side than the other- have you checked the wheel bearing or the cv joints on that side?
 
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