I've got the "clinking" noise coming from my rear axle when changing directions (this thread will clue you in if you have no idea what I'm talking about (there's a TSB also, although I can't find it in the library): http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...ight=axle+noise).

The fix seems to be to re-grease and tighten the axle nuts... I have the helms manual, and I'm guessing that the relevant section is 16-16, left column.

So the procedure I'm assuming would be to:
- remove rear wheels (or just the center caps )
- remove old axle nut (with a 36mm socket? Can anyone confirm this?)
- apply grease to the threads(?)
- put axle nut back on and torque to 225 ft/lbs
- put rear wheels or center caps back on.

I'm also assuming I can do this with the car on the ground...

I guess I'll have to get another torque wrench, as mine only goes to about 100ft/lbs.

 

yes remove wheels, unstake the nut (use a screwdriver to bend the tab out) then take out the axle nut (36mm is correct) apply grease, put back on and torque, stake the nut you can do it with car on ground but you'll have to jack it up enough to take off the wheel.

harborfreight carries cheap torque wrenches if there is a store in your area, if not, get one from sears

 

i think you have to you compressed air and blow the grease into where the axle slides into the hub itslef. i think the greae works its way out of there and causes the noise...i have the same thing on my car and need to do this very badly...it does it all the time1

 

Can anyone confirm that? I don't have an air compressor... so if that's the case, I'm pretty much SOL unless I bring it somewhere, which I hate doing.

I don't suppose canned compressed air would provide enough pressure to work the grease in?

 

if you got extended warranty then have the dealership do it for you, there is a TSB on this.

 

If it was under warranty I'd still do it myself. But no, I don't have an extended warranty.

 

i have no clue if you have to blow the grease in, but if you take out the spindle nut, you can just pull that side of the axle out of the hub and put grease on the spline and then insert it back into the hub. no need for a compressor if you do it that way

 

There seem to be a whole lot more steps involved in removing the rear axle other than just removing the spline bolt, at least according to the Helms manual...

 

i got the same problem. I am def interested in hearing what ppl have to say

 

I'm going to attempt to take care of this tonight. I'm going to swing by autozone and grab a big torque wrench, 36mm socket, and grease, and then on to staples for some compressed air.

My hope is that the stuff you use for keyboard dusting, etc. will be strong enough to get some grease onto the axle splines.

I'll let you know how it goes.