VZ SS ute: drivline clunking/ticking sound

[sam5709]

A mates VZ SS ute has just started making a clunking/ticking noise from somewhere in the driveline, sound started when the car is driving and gets faster with higher revs, After being in the car and also laying inside the tray around the block it sounds like its coming from either the tail shaft or around the drive shaft/diff area!

We jacked the car up on stands and tried to pin point where its coming from but when listening under the car with it in gear the sound somewhat echos through out the whole rear end.

-have checked and inspected the rubber looking couplings at both ends of the tail shaft as a few people suggested that these tend to wear out and degrade after time (car has done almost 140k) but on inspecting these they seem to be in really good solid condition
-sound is not metal on metal type and doesnt sound like a fucked diff.
-drive shafts from the diff to the wheels look good all bolts etc are tight
-We did find a round rubber bush with a u-type bracket half way along the tailshaft which looks to be extra support to stop the tail shaft sagging, bush looks ok but when moving the tail shaft there is a bit of play in it, could this be causing the tail shaft to vibrate excessively causing ticking this sound?

car drives fine, goes into every gear fine and turns corners like it did before the sound came.

its going to a workshop on Monday morning but any suggestions on things to check that we have missed would be a great help

cheers

[31-EVO]

Anyone put a zip tie somewhere? The centre bearing is known to be a bit poo if the vehicle is raped, that also goes for the half shafts that come out of the diff. Noise still present coasting in nuetral?

[sam5709]

nuh, there isn't any stray zip ties nor any other objects like that, fuel, brake and handbrake lines are all where they are supposed to be, nothing seems to be loose (except that center bush i mentioned).
The sound dies down alot when is rolling in neutral, it seems that when you accelerate or basically put any strain on the drive line it gets pretty loud but take that strain away even on deceleration it dies down but still gives off a noticeable sound.

might add also that the previous owner towed a heavy trailer Monday-Friday, since the new owner has had it hes done a few burnouts/gear chirps but has driven it normally for the last 3 weeks. seems to me that something has worn out over time with towing and burnouts causing extra strain under the rear end, just cant find what it is LOL

[Bomber]

If you get someone to hold the back wheels still while you rotate the propeller shaft and there is a fair bit of lash that could be the problem. Workshop will sort it for you anyway!

[ASSASIN]

Sometimes the half shafts spin the axle in the shaft so they will seem like they are tight and the cv is in good condition bit the axle will be turning inside the splines on the cv. If you can lay down and watch it as he takes of hard you will see it spin or mark the axle and cv with a paint pen then take it for a drive and see if it moves.

[ASSASIN]

Sometimes the half shafts spin the axle in the shaft so they will seem like they are tight and the cv is in good condition bit the axle will be turning inside the splines on the cv. If you can lay down and watch it as he takes of hard you will see it spin or mark the axle and cv with a paint pen then take it for a drive and see if it moves.

Usually when the center bearing on the tail shaft goes you will get a vibration through the whole floor pan more than a ticking sound

[sam5709]

Sometimes the half shafts spin the axle in the shaft so they will seem like they are tight and the cv is in good condition bit the axle will be turning inside the splines on the cv. If you can lay down and watch it as he takes of hard you will see it spin or mark the axle and cv with a paint pen then take it for a drive and see if it moves.

ok sweat, will investigate this and see if this is the issue, thanks for the suggestion guys, much appreciated!

[Wrench]

check the rear axle.. there are 6 allen head bolts either side (seen in photo below.. those holes)

http://product-images.highwire.com/2746770/373271f2-a8ab-4e46-b6d5-2b93695e3094.jpg

make sure they are all there/tight. was driving in my vz ss when i heard a massive clunk. didnt think anything of it but then a sorta ticking sound came along and increased as speed went up. had a looksee and turns out i snapped one of those clean off and another was just hanging in there. bought a new one and tightened them - problem solvered.

[sam5709]

update on whats happening with this, mate took it to automasters as it was close and they say the whole diff and shafts need replacing at just under $2000 but they cant answer what is actually wrong with it, not fully convinced with the answer they gave, the car is now with Josh at Galvsport where it should have gone from the start!

[heavyduty1340]

For just under 2K, ensure they are not from the local wreckers

[sam5709]

Oops, forgot to add that the price auto masters have was for second hand parts lol

[-Luke-]

^don't bother diagnosing.....just....

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBmiPuKNT2JRAJwClixt4JLHtOz9_-Q4s62tw0fNT6THKf94S_Tw

[sam5709]

^haha thats the first thing I thought of, couldnt really pinpoint the problem so replace it all, after being put on the spot with questions they said its probably broken a tooth in the diff but cant be sure :S

[lazy6]

Sam from experience it will just be the axels from a wrecker you can get them for under 200 or around 400ish for repco branded items. Been there done that.

[sam5709]

From the quick chat I had with my mate today I think the shafts had a lot play etc, while josh is under fixing the problem I'm pretty sure my mate is just going to get him to rebuild/refurb the diff to make it nice and tight again, cheers for all the help and suggestions :)