Today I was leaving a store and got on it and all of the sudden a sound started from the rear end. It is a clunk sound. At first it sounded like the muffler had a hole in it, but then the sound got more like a clunk. Drove to friend's house nearby and jacked it up. Had it in neutral and spun the tires and propshaft and doesn't make any unusual sounds. Then I started it up and put it in gear and let it idle. Tires spun and it makes the knock sound. Put my hand on the differential and can feel it make a knock on the casing every time it makes the knock sound. The sound is coming from the differential from what I can tell.

Any ideas as to what it is? Do you think its the pinion gear or what? Should I start tearing apart the rear end? If so, what should I be looking for?

 

sounds like there may be some broken teeth on the gear. The easiest way to check this would be to remove the pumpkin. If there are broken teeth they will most likely fall out

 

Does it still drive normally or do you actually "feel" the clunk?

After I heavily modded my Rx-7, I went at it against a mustang and then my rear end started to clunk. The car still drove fine, but I was actually able to feel and hear the clunk every time i accelerated (even very slowly). Then end result was I broke the diff off of the frame of the car, and ended up having to pay someone $200 to get it welded back together.

 

It's definitely the differential. Took out the drain bolt and on the magnetic tip was one of the teeth from the ring gear. Tearing apart the rear end now. Got everything off except for the 8 bolts that attatch the diff to the frame. I'll need to get one of my friends with stronger arms to get those last 8 bolts.

 

Read the post by w1ngman in the General Interest::s2000talk::Purchased an extended warranty today for my s2000 string. You under warranty?

Brew (estatic week-long owner of a new s2k)

 

Yup...as you've discovered on your own, its your rear diff. I too would suggest that (if you don't already have an existing warranty), that you consider purchasing one. Reason being, replacement of your rear diff is a $3600 consideration ...and that's JUST the diff -- not suggesting that's the entire rear end; only the diff.

Consider reading this thread and particularly my post within it. I'm very fresh on this subject.

Also, if you are out of warranty and if you don't believe you could get this covered, you might want to review this thread as well. If you find that you would have to go all out of pocket, you might find interest in a Kaaz aftermarket diff vs. the OEM.

Regardless, like I posted at the end of the first thread I linked above, if you have intentions of taking this to a dealer for repairs, then be sure to have a warranty. If you don't have a warranty, then consider an extended warranty given the cost of this repair. And if you are doing your repairs yourself...well...then pay me no mind!

- Dave

 

I can't buy an extended warrenty as I am already past 36K miles. Thanks though

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Squeezer
[B]I can't buy an extended warrenty as I am already past 36K miles.