hey this has probably already been asked, but i can't find it, when i take a turn either left or right, my rear end makes a clicking or clunking noise. it only makes the noise while turning and at any speed, but not while going strait. does anybody know what this might be? the car is a 2002 Camaro A4 Z28. it has no real suspension mods and the rear end is stock.
Thanks,
Joshua Walters

 

This is your Torsen Zexel differential ratcheting to allow the outside wheel to turn further than the inside wheel and relieving the pressure if that didn't happen. The difference with your situation is that you can actually hear it happening.

First thing to do is check the fluid level in the differential. If it is low there should be a lot of leaking coming from the rear end. If you aren't losing fluid and the level is good then I would change the gear oil and put the GM friction modifier (4 oz.) in with the new gear oil change.

Some rear ends simply make the sound loud enough to hear while most do not. This does not mean that your rear end is failing but that is a possiblity.

 

thanks, the car has just under 50,000 miles on it, so i should change the rear end oil anyways. i didn't even think about it being the torsen zexel rear end making the noise. i have heard that before, but didn't put 2 & 2 together.
Josh

 

Good luck Josh. When you pull the cover you will see if the rear end is okay or not. The Torsen is a great differential. The thing about it is it doesn't wear down and lose the positraction like the Auburn eventually will. With the Torsen, it either works or it is broken. If you don't have a lot of debris in the bottom of your housing and you seen nothing broken or mashed or feel excessive play then you are probably okay. You might want to check your axle seals and inspect the bearings. Take a look at your universal joints on the drive shaft and you might want to give an eye to your brakes while you're working on the car.