cv joint/rear differential clicking noise

[D0nny]

Hi, I recently had a clicking/cracking noise when turning fully left or right. It sounded that is coming from the passenger's side, which sounded like a replacement CV joint is needed.

I drove carefully to work and back, for a couple of days before taking to the garage and the noise at the front has stopped surprisingly! Now there is a clicking noise at the rear differential only when I reverse and sounds worse when at the same time I fully turn left or right.

My mechanic strangles to understand the problem. Please advise what could be the problem.

[wonkanoby]

sure its the diff

could be lining coming of brake shoe in drums

[D0nny]

Thanks for the response although I hope it's not the rear Differential...

Just to clarify, the noise initially came from the front passenger's side wheel only when steering. The noise is now coming from the rear differential when reversing. It has disk breaks front and back.

[philpdr]

Had the same clicking from the passenger side on full lock,cv boot had gone so got the joint replaced yesterday and all's back to normal.

[D0nny]

Just confirmed with my garage.
The rear diff was shattered and the source of noise.

Luckily found one on Ebay for £50, not too bad!

[wonkanoby]

yes but you also have shoes that do handbrake

inside the rear disk in a small drum

[Gasy]

Any ideas why it broke ?
Is yours a 4x4
Did it have oil in it ?
Correct size tyres ?
Not heard of them Braking much on here

[D0nny]

Well I am also wondering myself. I hope there isn't something else that is wrong and caused to fail...

Yes it is a 4x4 automatic.
It has correct size tyres.
The mechanic said that the oil was low and mucky, and looked like it was a mechanical wear and tear.

For the past 500 miles or so I had the tyres over inflated, 36psi front and 38psi back Instead of 32 and 34. As I read in one of the fact sheets of this website that helps fuel consumption.

It may have help the rear diff to shutter...

[Gasy]

Hope not I'm running mine at 40psi at the moment

[Simon Jones]

The affect of tyre pressure on rolling circumference will be less with 38/36 than 34/32. The issue with different tyre circumferences is that it puts strain on the viscous coupling as it tries to keep the front wheels rotating at the same speed as the rear. It's extremely unlikely to have damaged a rear diff whereas lack of servicing, wrong oil or a leaky seal are much more likely causes.

£50 sounds like a bargain. Factor in 2 litres of SAE90 diff oil and you should be up and running for a good price. Might be worth getting an extra litre of oil and draining / refilling the front diff too as it could also be in need of attention.

[al & chris]

Ours went after having bongo for just over a rear. (It did make that typical diff whining noise for a long tome first)
We sourced a replacement rear axil, complete. It has been on since , several years with no probs.