the elusive " clink"

[DaTsUn72WaG]

occasionally my car makes a clinking noise for about a second. The faster I'm going the faster it clinks. My drive line has a clean spot 2/3 of the way back and there is absolutely nothing for it to rub on! I'm guessing u-joints are the source of the elusive clink?? Any ideas?

[SHADY280]

is it clink or clunk??? clicks are usually metallic non-driveline and clunks are driveline suspension. the clean spot could be coincidence. there exceptions to the clink clunk rule tho. when does it normally happen, under load, idle, certain speed. all the time random, many variables.

[datzenmike]

Put in neutral and raise one wheel enough to turn it. Test both U joints by grabbing with both hands and trying to move it at right angles to turning radius. You may be able to move the drive shaft but that's just the rubber mounts on the tranny and diff. If you feel any small clunking or movement in your hands you may have a bad U joint. Try holding on either side and twisting, any looseness and the joint is bad. Now try the two shorter shafts joining the rear end to the wheels. Same thing.

 

Often the dry joint will let out more of a ping sound like a light hammer tap on the hollow drive shaft when letting the clutch out and the car starts moving. Later as the needle bearings dry and try to seize there is a constant high pitched squeal increasing rapidly with vehicle speed. By the time there is clunking several needles have fallen out and the shaft is off center and vibrating.

[DaTsUn72WaG]

the clinkish clunk happens usually when I let off the gas, not letting off all the way but almost. And this car is a three SPD auto with probs... Like only having first and third

[datzenmike]

Ah! A goon! Well that's four less U joints to check or go bad. You should only have two, one at the tranny and one at the rear end.