I went to take my 442 to a local car show tonight and as soon as I went down the road I heard a noise coming from the rear end. If I let off the gas it got quieter, but if I gave if just a little bit the noise got louder. It was like a clunking noise. I took it back home and took the rear wheels off and put the car on jack stands and put it into gear and I could hear the same sound by the rear wheels on both sides of the car. I looked at the brakes and everything is ok. The fluid was a 1/3 low so I filled the rear gear lube. Still makes the clunking noise. Anybody please help. Thanks

 

Did you crawl under, grip the driveshaft firmly, and give it a good turn one way and the other while you had it up in the air?

- Eric

 

Put a screw driver in between the joint and driveshaft and gently pry back and forth if you see movement it's worn out.

 

didn't check the play in the drive shaft, will check when I get home tonight.

 

I had a very similar problem with my '68 FlatTop Wagon, for years. Changed the whole rear end, and still had similar noises as before (noise under acceleration, quieted down when lettng off the gas). All wheel bearings/seals were replaced on the replacement rear end. Finally took it to a rear end specialist (I didn't know there was such a thing) and he replaced the inner bearings in the pumpkin/rear end. Eureka! Problem solved! Good luck!

 

Last time I heard a clunking, I busted 6 teeth off of the pinion gear.

I also used to have a problem with the driveshaft making a PING noise like when a golfer drives a golf ball. I replaced the u joints and the trans mount, and it went away.

I'd check the trans mount, and u joints first, since they are faster wear items and lesser expenses. Also check your pinion nut and yoke for any slop. Sometimes they can back out and make the pinion vibrate and warble funny.

 

Pretty typical symptoms of u-joint failure.

 

put it up on a lift and checked the u joints and they seem to be fine, looks like a rear gear problem.

 

I took the back cover off to take a look. Looks like I found the problem. I don't know anything about rear gears so if someone can help me out on what parts I need. The middle piece is what's broken.
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Thanks for all the help....

 

That middle piece is the carrier...Looks like a complete tear down is in order. Its the heart and soul of the rear. But, I'm no expert on these things.

 

quick question, I called jegs on pricing so I want to be clear on what I need. My car was a factory 273 gear car. Jegs said I need a 28 spline 8.5 carrier. I will go to the 342 gears and here's the part numbers they quoted me.
carrier is 109=542018
342 gear kit 555-60030k

 

The main shaft pin in the carrier was broken. Swapped in some new 342 gears yesterday, now I need help on what speedo gear I need by color and teeth. It's around 10 to 15 mph fast.

 

Here's a calculator and gear chart:

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/speedometer-gear-calculator