My car has always made this "clunking" sound coming from directly under the car either when shifting rather hard or cruising in a high gear at low rpms. I thought it was my stock T-5 going bad, so I swapped in a brand new TKO-500 and it still makes the same noise. Its nothing serious, but it does come to my attention. Otherwise I would not be posting about it. I have an FMS aluminum drive shaft that has about 10,000 miles on it. I think it came with new u-joints when I bought it new a couple years ago. Could my u-joints already be going south? I did not notice the "clunking" sound with my stock drive shaft (at least I don't remember hearing it). I think the noise came shortly after I installed the aluminum drive shaft.
How to tell if u-joints are bad?
- Thread starter 1990LXDropTop
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Does it sound like the noise is directly under you or more towards the rear. If its in the rear it could be that the rear control arm bushings are beat. Mine used to clunk when going slow in first gear until i put in my new control arms in.
Just grab each side of the DS (with the u-joint in between your hands) and twist and turn (like giving a rub-burn to the DS) and see if you feel slop. Look for caps which look different then the others and rotate the DS and see if you hear anything (when needle bearings turn to dust, it can squeak and give a little bit of slop).
The FRPP DS comes with some nice HD joints. If you need new ones, Spicer is what I would use.
The rear joint tends to go out about twice as often as the front in my experience.
Also note any interferance issues (DS to e-brake, DS to exhaust, etc). WHen you load and unload the drivetrain and suspension, stuff moves around.
Good luck.
The FRPP DS comes with some nice HD joints. If you need new ones, Spicer is what I would use.
The rear joint tends to go out about twice as often as the front in my experience.
Also note any interferance issues (DS to e-brake, DS to exhaust, etc). WHen you load and unload the drivetrain and suspension, stuff moves around.
Good luck.
5.0fox
Member
i was launching on the street with my dr's and broke a chunk out of the front u -joint. it made a horrible vibration over 50 mph.
Zero_chance
Founding Member
Yeah like was already said, if theres a vibration at highway speeds along with the clunk then its almost definitely your U joints. Usually the rear goes bad first but if you have the money you might as well replace them both theyre only like 20 dollars and it means you wont have to yank the driveshaft out again. You should check your tranny crossmember too. One of the bushings in mine was pretty much toast and it used to clunk around back when I bought the car.
srothfuss
Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row
If the driveshaft falls out of the car when your driving than chances are your U-joints are bad. (J/K)
Excessive slop or clunking are good indicators.
Excessive slop or clunking are good indicators.
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