Chattering at Rear Diff or U-Joint

[BratBOY!]

Hey All:

 

Need some advice ASAP!

 

Been zippin' around the snowy roads of Omaha, in my '87 GL Brat, 4wd, Hi-Lo; when suddenly I'm getting some major CHATTERING at right about the Rear Diff or U-Joints. First, it was just 'CLUNKIN' when I dropped it into gear, and thought maybe had something to do w/Cluthc adj as I just had a new one put in.

 

1st: What do you think it is? U-Joints?

 

2nd: Should/can I drive it till it get's fixed?

 

3rd: Is it something a bonehead w/some tools and a warm garage can get done w/the Idiot Manuel and the Chilton's or your kind instructions?

 

Thanks, Geoff

[ShawnW]

Hey Geoff,

 

Glad to see another midwest guy. I hope you will come to our Subaru meet, its not going to be very far for you to drive to go to, just across the border and north a little bit. Details here:

Midwest Meet

 

Hopefully you have a spare driveshaft around like some people do. Then it would be easy. If you have another car you could take the driveshaft off, and then take it to someplace to have u joints put in the driveshaft. Rumors of Ford ones of some kind fitting come to mind.

 

Did you take the transmission out to put the clutch in or did you take the engine out? Sounds like one of your mounts might be worn out too. Theres also a bushing on the top of the rear differential that might be worn out.

 

I don't think it will hurt the vehicle too bad to drive it around with the clunk but its hard to tell from here.

[torxxx]

http://www.staugustinefwd.com/RWD/Staked/staked.html

 

they sell the ujoints

[BratBOY!]

Thanks Guys, but: #1, should I drive it now, or is it going to rip something else apart if I keep driving it; &, is it something I can try on my own?

 

I didn't do the clutch myself, I got this grizzled old mech in Clarinda, IA (former soob dealership).

 

Anyway, I have to leave work by 7 Central and need to know if I should risk driving it.

 

Geoff

[BratBOY!]

Finally had time (and warm place) to just look under the back end real good, (did before in a sub-zero parking lot...but as you can imagine) and I see that the axle going into the inside rear pass C.V. seems to be way off angle, like it's...HOLY CRAP!! The X-Piece that is jointed in the middle from which both rear axles hang??? is TORE CLEAN OFF from the mounting bracket from the bottom of the bed...on the right Rear side...RUSTED Completly THRU...so NOW WHAT???

 

And of course that axle is toast now, the outside boot is ripped wide & grease a splattered everywhere...and the inside boot is has the axle jammed in it all cock-eyed!!!

 

Any Sluggestions???

 

Sad and screwed in the big Ohttp://www.ultimatesubaru.org/usmb/forum/images/icons/icon8.gif, G

[torxxx]

replace that cv axle

it takes about 20 min to do per side on the back

 

and for the driveshaft, I dont know where you live, but if the driveshaft is shot and you need to drive it you can take the driveshaft off, cut the ujoint out at the spindle (so its just the spindle that goes into the back of the tranny.)

 

You can wire tie that spindle into the tranny (just make sure you make about 10 loops through it to the tranny or the mounting brackets)

 

I had to drive 400 miles with mine like that, and it worked so good I left it like that for 2 months.. (make sure your car doesnt wheel hop its self into 4 wheel cuz your snap the wires holding that spindle in there)

[mcbrat]

Geoff,

so sounds like the diff hanger is "hanging" on the pass. side... that is a bad spot for rust.

 

you will need to find a welder to fix it up as best as possible. no easy way about it.....

 

Mick