greg1990964

Anybody ever hear a clunking/clacking sound when you are in traffic and let the clutch out in first gear or reverse? Yes, I tried a search of old threads and not the same symptoms, so thought I would ask. I remember the noise while letting out the clutch in reverse over the years, but not going in 1st gear. To better describe, if you rock the car with the clutch slightly, engage disengage in one motion it makes a slight clunk. Can't hear it with door open and car running. Kinda reminds me of an old truck with u joint lash. I replaced the clutch and all parts a couple of years ago, (5k mi at most) reused the old DMF which seems fine. and I don't think it is the problem. Is this normal? I am not in the mood to drop the motor to investigate as long as it doesn't hurt the tranny. Could it be just axle lash of some kind? Steve Weiner, do you any thoughts from the west coast? Maybe I am just paranoid, prob nothing I would do about it anyways until it doesn't work anymore. Haha.
Yes, I have been post happy again recently as my young GF watches some pretty stupid tv shows at night and I am bored. Ha.

Rocket Rob

I would check a couple things. Jack up the rear of the car and rock the wheels clockwise and counter-clockwise. Do you have any slow in your CV joints? Are the CV joint bolts all tight? Are your engine and transmission mounts secure? Also check the suspension points.

Lastly, are you running the dual-mass flywheel? Back in 95, my cab started having a clunk and it turned out the DMF had failed. Hoping its not this for you.

C4inLA

Driving to the beach one sunny afternoon on a flat city road, 35 mph at most and suddenly, clatter, clatter, clatter.... Car just turning 30k miles, never tracked... Off to Porsche dealer, we agreed sounds like DMF. Return later that day for status, the service techs loving the reaction it gets from Customers, point to my car in 3 piles, chassis, engine on pallet, gearbox detached replaced with same, LUK DMF... I inquire to PNA directly, asking, I thought isssues with DMF were in the past and resolved by my MY '94? Failed at 30k? They offered zero support and said, well cars are mechanical, stuff happens, would you like to see our latest models for sale?

greg1990964

On my lift now. Have it in gear and rocking the rear wheels back and forth. Def coming from the differential. Maybe I am being super sensitive to the sound. No idea what normal sound is anymore. Ha. Have to put the coupe on the other lift and see if it the same.

C4inLA

I picked up these, not used yet, but see much use for in the future





Chassis Ear

greg1990964

Haha. Prob nothing to worry about. Put targa on the lift and diagnosis is definitely differential/trans axle clunking. When turning a wheel both ways, about a inch or so of play then it is just typical gear lash/clunk I think. If not, when it blows up I rebuild the trans. Just being a paranoid freak. Didn't have time to play with the coupe to see if it has the same lash/clunk etc. What is acceptable amount of play as you turn the rear wheels with car up in the air? You guys also hear a clunk of the gears when doing this right? Can we load videos on this?

greg1990964

Nothing?

stubble88

Please take it in. I had something similar. I am now rebuilding the tranny and need a new diff. Let a pro take a listen. I also thought it was the clutch. Nope.

greg1990964

Stubble, what were your symptoms?
I suppose it couldn't hurt to have somebody look at it, as catching something early could save money down the road by not blowing up other parts in there from pieces flying around if it does break rather then just being worn.

stubble88

It was making a scratchy rubbing noise that was in tune with the rotation of the wheel. I ignored it. I had just change to semi solid motor mounts and thought it was a normal noise. It got worse and worse. Shifted fine. Then it was just too loud. So I took it in. Maybe I could have saved the diff if I had addressed it earlier. But the busted little bearings traveled around. Need $1800 in parts. And I am currently looking for a good used diff. I just bought the car. Had it less then a year.

greg1990964

Oh ok. That sucks. Mine just makes a what I think is semi normal clunking like all cars if you turn the wheels off the ground with gear lash. I just happen to notice it when letting out the clutch sometimes. Dragged the c2 coupe out now to put it on the lift and see if it makes the same clunk.

greg1990964

The other car has a similar lash noise in reverse, not so much in first gear, and turning the wheels on the lift it is the same sound, but the coupe is a little tighter feeling. Maybe not as much lash. Oh well. when it blows it blows or I am just a paranoid idiot.

prschmn

How many miles on the car? And guessing this is an open diff?
There is the possibility of wear on the crosshaft for the spider gears.
If that gets loose you'll have a big problem on your hands.
also the potential for a bad carrier bearing-also potential bad news.
Not hard to pull the diff out of the case-I'd be doing that if it were me.
You can also check the flanges for any sign of vertical/sideways movement
which would be an indicator of a bad bearing.

greg1990964

The tranny prob has around 145k. I know nothing about how to mess with these. Would have to drop the motor and trans to take a look wouldn't I?

prschmn

You can pull the side cover and diff out with the engine in-easy