Still not sure if my 72 145 4 spd wagon needs a rear end, or just a quick fix, but figure i should ask ahead of time... The car is in central Mass. Can travel to pick up rear end

THX!

Not too hard to check uni when dropping the box. The interrogation worked.

Thanks for all the info, but my lazy mechanic told me he checked / ok'd the U joints, but he didnt... The back U joint was bad...(of coarse)

Tim

you may just need new seals & synthetic lube??
i wonder if a limited slip locker out of a 940 would work???
My 940 NEVER slid through out the entire winter,,

A dry uni joint can feel OK with no play but will have a stiff movement. will also vibrate and cause noise in the gear train.

Another possibility, did you accidentally let the gearbox weight hang when removing or replacing it?. This can bend friction plate centre and slowly destroy it. Did you split driveshaft?, did you mark for orientation?, the front and rear fixed yokes must be inline. If they are maybe 180 degree out affecting balance.

Hmm well you got me on that, i didnt do the work... my mechanic specializes in foreign cars, even old ones including volvos so i assume he knows whats involved, but... we all know what happens when we assume. Ill interrogate him

Might wanna check level and condition of gear oil in Diff as reg maint.

Does the noise correspond with recent work to driveline?. If the gearbox and pinion are not in the same plane it will give the symptons you have, Wrong engine mounts, drive shaft yokes not inline on splines. Wrong drive shaft either too long or short. Wrong or worn trailing arms putting pinion out of plane. centre bearing gone. Have seen pinion bearings chopped, but this creates much more noise.

the gear box was out a month ago to repair shifter... would it take that long to show this noise / vibration? it is getting worse slowly btw

Why do you think you need a new rear end? Dragging brakes and worn bushings all make plenty of noise.

maybe the driveshaft needs a new center bearing & or balancing?/

Why do you think you need a new rear end? Dragging brakes and worn bushings all make plenty of noise.

all new bushings, brakes are fine. noise / vibration on decell been islolated to the Diff. These diffs rarely go bad, so it might be simple fix but wanna locate a diff just in case.

Sounds like it could be the rear U-joint?
Dan

everything on the drive shaft has been checked, is all good.

If that means you dropped the rear of the driveshaft and manually flexed the joint then you are OK
Dan