Rear end clunk when downshifting from 3-2

[Farking Bastage]

Did a search and didn't see anything definitive. I have an 03 V8 luxury sport with 95k. Not all the time, but sometimes, I can hear a definite clunk in the rear end when the car downshifts from 3 to 2 ( usually, but sometimes 2-1 ) that sounds a lot like a U joint. I was able to duplicate this in auto and SST mode. There's also a bit of a clunk, although minor, when going from P to reverse.

I went underneath and was unable to find any play in the driveshaft/U-joints. It scares me to think that the ring/pinion wear may be to blame.

any ideas on how to further troubleshoot it without pulling it apart?


Thanks

 

[mcaccamise]

clunk

Hi,
You might also look at the tie rod ends and stabilizer bar bushings to check for wear and if they are loose they also make the noises you decribed when going into gear imo.
Mike

 

[M4rk]

Subframe bushing

 

[Farking Bastage]

I'll take a bushing over diff guts ANY DAY.

That does make sense since if the diff was getting loosey goosey, it would have a roar at highway speed and a lot of other nasty stuff

 

[jmtiseo]

I'll take a bushing over diff guts ANY DAY.

That does make sense since if the diff was getting loosey goosey, it would have a roar at highway speed and a lot of other nasty stuff

Wouldn't be too sure about that. Look at what Mark's going through. A bad subframe bushing that if needing replaced needs a new subframe if I'm remembering what I read correctly.

my car clunks a bit, although better now with a new solenoid valve body, from reverse to park.

 

[M4rk]

Jack the rear end up (not by the bushings) and see if any of them are cracked.

 

[1LoudLS]

well the p to R clunking could be the famous trans solenoids, could this sound be coming from the trans area, or are you sure its coming from the rear end?

 

[tristangoesham]

I had the same clunking when I first bought my LS (especially P to R) and then it magically disappeared a month or so later.