CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Hey all,
I was wondering if someone around here has a 1-piece driveshaft installed? I got mine in about 3 weeks ago, and so far Im not enjoying it. I can hear and feel a faint clunk when the clutch goes in and comes out, basically when the tension gets taken off the driveline, then put back on. Im not really sure where to begin to look, Im not even certain its the driveshaft. I know the new driveshaft has billet couplers versus the rubber couplers on the stock shaft, which is why thats where Im starting, but the shaft still has a slip joint built in, so I dont see how that would cause a clunk. I did upgrade the differential bushings, but dont see that being the culprit. Anyone have any idea, or ideas on how to even check? Thanks in advance!
Adam

pancherj

I had that same exact clunk as you describe above. I thought either the driveshaft or the bushings...turned out it was the gears in my 9" going south. New gears and everything is golden.

motion427

iTrader: (1)

Recheck and retorque the diff bolts and driveshaft bolts.Especially the rear diff bolt.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Its a brand new differential I just had built. Stock housing with Eaton TruTrac, GM 3.91 gears, Lingenfelter install kit, JRE billet endcaps, PFADT diff bushings, every bearing and race replaced, 85/140 Lucas non synthetic oil. It better not be a gear!! Lol! The only thing I did notice is when I was under the car the other day retorquing everything, I can rotate the d/s about 3/8 of an inch. Does that sound right??

The diff bolts were torqued to 85ft/lb. The d/s bolts were torqued as tight as I could with a wrench. No room to get a rachet in there unfortunately.

2sscamaro11

What cradle bushings are running? I know some people have reported a clunking noise with pfadt dif bushings.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Stock cradle bushings. I figured out that if I push the clutch in, shift, and let the clutch out as 3 independent movements, it didnt clunk. But when I shift as 1 fluid movement, its clunks. So what Im assuming is the billet couplers are picking up tranny noise from the gear change since I am probably just barely passing the clutch point as I shift, if that makes sense. I think Im just going to go back to stock and sell the 1-pc. Its a very faint clunk, its just something I dont want to live with. Does that seem legit??

pancherj

I could rotate my driveshaft too. The backlash was way too high. Either from wear or setup. It eventually pounded out my pinion support as the pinion tried to go meet the engine.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Damn it....are you kidding me? I have to rip all this **** apart again and take it back to the builder. This is why I dont let people work on my car. Thanks for the info guys!

DietCoke

iTrader: (18)

the clunk is probably the sprung clutch disk.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Im sorry, I dont understand what you're saying. Are you saying Im feeling the clutch when its engaging, or that I have a bad disk? Ill try to put up a video tomorrow of how much the d/s twists and let you guys make the call if thats a normal amount of backlash, or too much.

pancherj

You mentioned 3/8 of movement and that doesn't seem like too much. The rest of your symptoms sound eerily familiar.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

I think first and foremost Im going to take the easy route and throw the stock d/s back up to see if that alleviates the clunk. If thats the case, Ill just leave it up and sell the 1-pc. If it is still there with the stock shaft in, Im going to take it to the guy that build the carrier and see what he says. I really hope the stocker will fix the issue!

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Put the original drive shaft back in and clunk is still there. Taking car over to shop that built the differential and take them for a ride and see if they can diagnose it. It'll prolly end up being the diff bushings....God this sucks.

2010SSRSM6

Besides the clunk, how does it feel with the trutrack and 3.91's?

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

pancherj

Have them check pinion support bushing and backlash...

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

I love it! I'm not going to say it's a mind blowing experience, but definitely helps the car out as a whole. Makes it feel lighter, tachs up quicker, makes it feel stronger. The trutrac is great. Took a buddy for a ride the other day and rolled into the throttle and he was impressed that I didnt have any traction issues.

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

I've heard clunks on a lot of 5th gens as you discribe. Never an issue with it. Most have the shaft and axle's in them.

CamanLS1

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for chiming in Don. It's annoying to deal with, but if it's normal and not falling apart, I guess I'll call it good. Putting the stock shaft in did dampened the clunk. I went to the guy that built it and he really couldn't feel it. He said I could bring it back next week and he would put it on the lift and check it out. I still may take him up on it, just to be safe. But I know Don knows his ****, so I'm sure it's fine.