Hi, I have had my car for a few years, and it has always pinged a little when shifting from reverse to drive. I have in this time replaced the driveshaft center bearing, and both u-joints. The u-joints are pretty recent, and just greased. All of a sudden I have what sounds like u-joints going bad, or something going on. A lot of vibration, and a loud pinging that is almost constant. I jacked the rear end up put it in neutral, and checked it out. There seems to be play from back half of driveshaft, and clearly a little ping. Although there does not seem to be any leak around pinion flange. The car has 180000 miles or so. Would this be considered a maintenance item at this point? I have never had one go bad on any car, and while I have seen a few kinda vague write ups on it, I am not sure I would want to tackle this job. Any info on sure signs this is bad, or maybe faulty u-joint? Oh I have also changed rear differential fluid. Thanks in advance. I am kinda surprised I could not find a video of this job being done, anyone know of one?

Mike

I remember reading of someone who went thru the things you did and in the end discovered that the where the driveshaft attaches to the rear end, there is a CV joint, and the grease had dried out of it and it cause a clicking noise when shifting into reverse, he found a way of inject CV grease into the rubber seals, re lubed and then the problem went away for good. You will want to address this issue, as I believe the driveshaft part is no longer made and the new one requires re doing the rear end to make the new union.

DanR '94 964 356,000 miles (122,000 on the new engine)
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DanR