My XJ has developed a clunk when going over bumps or humps in the road where the rear end raises up. It feels like the rear axle is being pulled or pushed so the the play on the right wheel is forced to it's end and clunking. It's the same sound when I jack up the car and pull or push on the wheel. Leaf spring, torsion bar and shock bushings all look good. Torque on the u bolts is good. Leaf springs and shocks are good. Any ideas?

 

Have you happened to check the rear shackles, Which is what I meant to say in the title.

 

yes all the bushings still look good. Shackles included. The shock bolts are still good. I tightened them all.

 

could be a broken bar pin. remove and inspect. also check your transmission mount, since it's the closest mount to the rear, push up on the driveshaft also, to see if you can replicate the sound there.
inspect the frame as close as you can, put a wrench on every bolt that has anything to do with the rear axle/suspension, just to see if you missed anything.

 

This is the axle clunk you asked about nearly 3 years ago?

Open up the differential, pull the axles and examine the C-clips, cross pin and spiders.

8.25s are a little noisy, but IMO people are a little too quick with the "It's supposed to be like that" response.

Can you measure exactly how much end play you have?

 

And if the carrier is sloppy here's a great hack to build a tool to tighten up the bearing adjusters (actual socket is about 50 bucks):

 

yes Dave I had asked about the play in the rear axles when I replaced the bearings and seals. I've checked everything else so now it's time to open up the differential and see how it looks. I'll let you know when I get it done.Thanks

 

I opened up the differential and all looks normal. The links below show videos and have the sounds I'm hearing. spiders, C clips, axle play all look really good to me but I have nothing to compare it with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjXex7H1LzU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1ow...ature=youtu.be

more info on this....This started as a clunk heard after I went from reverse to forward or vise versa. Not right away though . I would back out of the garage, drive down the street and apply the brakes, that's when I would hear it. If I filled the gas tank it would be louder leading me to think the momentum was causing something loose to move and clunk.

 

Have you ever cleaned and relubed the slip yoke? That's a common cause of clunking.

In re: the diff you need to look for excessive play. See video. The play between the pinion and the ring ("backlash") should be a tiny amount (.006 in. by dial indicator. In the video the guy says the backlash is fine but that looks a little sloppy to me).

Any ground metal in the diff?

A good example of messed up spiders tho.

 

OTOH, this sounds like nothing to do with the drive train. Exhaust pipe especially at the transmission support?

 

No metal in the diff.

 

Also check the motor and transmission mounts.

 

Gas tank straps and rear lift gate were smashing on mine. esp the gate. Things did improve when it failed inspection for frame rot and I got the frame welded up by a shop that did that stuff. After which I have delved into some frame welding of my own. Its more like adding pieces of steel by welding.

 

I found my driver's side motor mount failed but that didn't stop the noise. Thanks for all your input. I'll let you know when I locate the failed part.

 

OK I replaced my lower control arms and am now replacing the upper ones. Drivers side wasn't bad but the axle bracket bushing on the passenger side is trash. Waiting for parts.