I posted a few months ago about a sound I was having in the rear of my car... http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...train+problems

I still haven't found the problem, I can't identify what exactly is causing the noise, I know it's not the transmission and so far I have replaced: tranny mount and u joints. The sound is sort of a clunking that is proportional to the speed of the car. I did a search and found something about gear lash... could anyone explain this to me alittle and tell me if that could be the problem?

 

My '93 makes a noise like you describe as well. I took the diff out and inspected the gears and bearings. I found nothing wrong. Mine makes the noise at very light throttle, but it stop when you start to lean on it.
I did a search and found this to be a common problem. A lot of guys with aftermarket 3.73's seem to have it for some reason.

I've given up on trying to fix mine. If it breaks, then i'll know what it was.

 

the noise isnt exactly something i can just deal with i mean its a horrible sound... and it gets worse the faster i go... ive checked everything that i know anything about and i stillcant pin down the problem... its starting to get really frustrating

 

Possible causes: posi going out, bearings of any kind, gear lash.

Gear lash is the space between the ring and pinion gears. It's possible they've worn down so there is more space, making a clunking sound when the gears hit again.

 

thanks for the response how can i narrow it down from there? is there a way to identify the gear lash problem specifically and how do i know if the posi is goin(both tires are still spinnin)

 

The posi will slip around corners and should not make a clunking noise. You might here a click, but if it clunks it could be the posi or gear lash.

There is no forsure way to tell if it is gear lash without taking the cover off the differential. I guess an easy, and not so sure way without taking it off would be to accelerate, let off the gas, then accelerate again. If there is a clunk on the second, or any of the accelerations for that matter, than it could be gear lash.

I haven't heard of bearings making a clunking noise on accelerating, or straight driving. Usually it's around corners, or over bumps.

One last thing, a torque arm that is not tightened down, or positioned right can also make a thud/clunk noise. Make sure it's secure in the rubber gromit on the transmission, and tightened down on the axle housing.