Clunk

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the driveshaft.





3. Use a rigid bar or pipe of suitable length and clamp one end to the rear axle companion flange using Companion Flange Holding Tool.
4. Clamp the other end to the frame or body member in order to prevent movement of the rear axle companion flange.
5. Lower the vehicle so that one rear wheel is resting on a wheel chock to prevent it from turning. The other rear wheel will then be used to measure total rear axle backlash.
6. Rotate the free wheel slowly, by hand, until a feel of driving the rear axle is encountered. Position a crayon or chalk firmly on the side of the tire 305 mm (12 inches) from the center of the wheel. Rotate the wheel slowly in the opposite direction until the feel of driving the rear axle is encountered again.
7. Measure the length of the crayon or chalk mark on the tire. If the length of the mark is 25.4 mm (1 inch) or less, the rear axle backlash is within allowable limits.
8. If the chalk mark is greater than 25.4 mm (1 inch), check for these conditions:
(1) Elongation of the differential pinion shaft holes in the differential case.
(2) Missing differential, pinion, or differential side gear thrust washer.
(3) Galling of the differential pinion shaft and bore.
(4) Excessive ring gear and pinion backlash. Follow the procedure for the type of rear axle to check backlash.