engine and drivetrain New knocking noise in rear end - Help

[geubanks]

Hello - I would appreciate anyone's help in diagnosing a new noise from the rear of my 1972 2002. It's definitely a knocking noise that increases in tempo the faster the wheels spin and slows as I roll to a stop.

The noise is not related to engine rpm at all but is there when I am moving. The cars runs great and handles as before but the noise is becoming more frequent. The sound dissipates over 3000rpm but I assume it's still there.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Timbo]

sounds like your cv joints need replacing.

[Pinepig]

The one that I had that you are describing was a U joint on the driveshaft.

[Mike Self]

rear axle, make sure the bolts holding the axles to the diff aren't loose. They've been known to do so (happened to me twice), and when they get loose, they'll shear off the bolts one by one until the axle parts company from the diff. Then you don't go anywhere unless you have a limited slip.

Easy fix, though...just make sure the old bolts aren't bent or the threads boogered up...

cheers

mike

[colorobo2002]

depending on left or right turns. Much like finding a bad wheel bearing, it's dependent on which side it was on. But it always made the noise, regardless of which way I was turning. It was a cv joint for me.

[MichaelP]

And if it does turn out to be CV joints (likely), they're NLA from BMW. Nice, huh? You might try Carl Nelson at http://www.bimmerdoc.com/ or Jim at Mesa http://www.mesaperformance.com/

[geubanks]

Everyone - I really appreciate the input. Sounds like I have a little work ahead of me to get this resoved.

Thanks again - it's been a really helpful first visit to the site.

[Marty]

Just for the record, even with a normally functioning 75% lsd the car won't go with one axle unbolted at the diff, with no resistance on that side the clutches won't set and it will act like a open diff.

[TJW]

That is what a LSD will do. If it is working properly, you can take one wheel off and you can still drive, you will lose some traction, but it will still drive.

[JohnBarlow]

(nt)

[Marty]

When I my Cv joint came unbolted from the diff flange the car would just creep along at maybe 1 MPH or less and my LSD is a 75%er that works fine, it locks up while parallel parking. If you remove your wheel you will still have the weight and resistance of the axle and brakes to set your clutches harder than just the bare output flange will set them.