rear end clunking sound

[mustang_gt88]

I have a clucking sound coming from the rear end. I only notice it when letting the clutch out. I have out in a new drive shaft to check that first. I noticed that I can rotate the drive shaft about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. I am pretty sure this is were my sound is coming from. I tightened the pinion nut to check that also. The upper and lowers are new also. Any ideas what the problem could be?

[mustang_gt88]

Just some info on the rear end is it 8.8 with 31 spline axels, strange spool, welded tubes, narrowed 1 inch each side, and has coil covers.

[slow86fiveoh]

Maybe the gears were setup too loose (too much backlash) I'm no rearend expert and have never setup any gears but that is kinda what it sounds like or universal joints

[mustang_gt88]

That's kind off what I'm thinking . I have check the u joints.

[akagreg3]

what trans are you running ? is the speedo grears correct? meaning iv had them make a clucking sound in reverse if there not matched correctly in-less you are 100% sure its in the rear end.

[Adam@S&MMotorsports]

Possibly loose ring gear bolts also.

[mustang_gt88]

I'm pretty sure its in the rear. I matched the speedo gear.

[mustang_gt88]

I am going to jack it up today and put it on jack stands and make sure the upper and lowers are tight. I might have the wife let the clutch out while under car. Or maybe remove the driveshaft and move the tires back and forth while on the jack stand to see if I can narrow it down.

[mustang_gt88]

So the uppers were loose. The bolts on the rear end were the spherical bushings. So j tightened and it fixed the banging. Then I down shifted into 1st and the clunk came back. Think then bushings are shot since I ran the them loose ?

[mustang_gt88]

anyone have any thoughts on this?

[slow86fiveoh]

Just because the bolts were loose it shouldn't have hurt anything the control arms shouldn't move around much when they are loose, I beleive it's something in the rearend unless all the bushings are wore slap out

[mustang_gt88]

the upper control arm bolt were loose were they are tightened to the spherical bushing. I tightened them before. I tightened them again and the noise is gone. I think I will get some lock washers and blue lock tight.

[akagreg3]

how close is your exhaust to the body/control arms things it can hit -how tight is the exhaust hooks? does it site real close to the body? i would try all the little cheap first lol

[mustang_gt88]

the mufflers dump before the axel and control arms