Clunk when going into reverse! Just installed Cusco and Whiteline
 

Hey guys,


I'm just trying to share some feedback as far as common suspension set ups. Today I installed the Whiteline Trans mount bushing, rear subframe bushings, and differential bushings. In addition I installed the cusco front power brace, front upper strut bar, rear subframe brace, and lower control arm braces.


After I finished I went for a test drive. I noticed:


Considerably louder transmission whine
Differential whine from the rear end (like a tuning fork)
Increase in vibration throughout the vehicle
a clunk when shifting out of a forward gear into reverse.
this clunk happens right as the clutch begins to bite the flywheel. I believe the noise I'm hearing is from the driveshaft changing direction, but I'm not sure this is okay...


I want to compare with folks with a similar set up. The driveshaft clunk troubles me the most in that I want to ensure that these upgrades are causing excessive driveshaft bind.


The other symptoms I mentioned don't bother me at all, and were expected before I even ordered the parts. Let me know

Unfortunately doing all of this at once is going to make it almost impossible to identify which part(s) are either causing the issue or if all of them just are transmitting that much more resonance and noise into the cabin.

The resonance doesn't surprise me too much, it's just that "clunk" when the driveshaft reverses direction. I can duplicate the noise in the garage with the e-brake on shifting from first to reverse and lightly letting out on the clutch. Does the same thing in the driveway with the e-brake off just rolling slightly forward then slightly back.


I think my main question is if there is any adjustment for the distance of the differential from the transmission. I just want to ensure that I'm not binding my driveshaft. It doesn't appear that there is any adjustment since all locating bolts do not tighten into slotted mounts...


I remember back when I helped a friend replace his clutch on an rx-8, and those vehicle have "spine" that attaches to the rear subframe and transmission. The bolt holes on the spline are slotted and need to be put back just so, or else it cause driveshaft bind, and slightly un-favorable pinion angles.

As you've said, everything you listed is normal, as you are now hearing pretty much everything your drivetrain does.

As for the clunk, if it only happens when changing from a forward gear to reverse, try this. If possible, give it a bit more time before going from 1st or 2nd to stop fully before selecting reverse. I take a bit of extra time, shift into neutral as I come to a complete stop, and then select reverse. Usually takes it without issue.

If you still hear it... well, you stiffened everything up pretty good and all in one go, like Dezoris said, so it will be hard to pinpoint.

edit: for reference, I have the same whiteline stuff you do, and a Grimmspeed front strut bar (which should really affect this, but you listed your own strut bar).

Malave, do you hear a clunk at all when the clutch is just starting to engage and the vehicle begins to move in a forward or backward direction?

I have the differential and sub-frame bushings installed and unless you are really smooth and gentle with shifts, you will hear clunks.

As I explained to my daughter when she commented, because racecar!

Yeah, just like jvincent pointed out. Have to be super smooth to avoid some sound when engaging. Shouldn't be a loud noise until you are being rough. Honestly, I've had these mods on the car so long that I don't even think about it anymore. The sound doesn't register unless I got lazy and hear it clunk loudly.

did you do these not thinking it would ad NVH, because this is what you describe. i have all kinda of noises and its all just NVH because now you have less places for vibrations to go because the rubber is no longer soft and taking all that stuff in.

I was for sure expecting the NVH, and I actually enjoy how much louder everything sounds even at 45mph. The resonance makes it seem like I'm really killing it even when I'm not. The clunk just had me concerned. I know I still have warranty on the car, but I would feel pretty stupid if something I did is causing my transmission, driveshaft or differential to wear poorly and crap out prematurely. That said I've been working on cars for going on 11 years, and I'm confident in my installation of these components.

Mine clunks when taking off or shifting with just whiteline bushing inserts on the diff.

The clunk is from the lash in the gears in the trans and diff. It's normal, if there was no lash, the gears would eat themselves.

Thanks for the insight guys. I just wanted to be sure that it was normal. Just a lot louder now when transitioning, and just wanted to be certain that the side-effects of these parts was being experienced by other folks with the same stuff.

Clunk when going into reverse! Just installed Cusco and Whiteline
 

This is exactly what I got after installing rear diff and subframe Whiteline insert.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64364

You can remove the 2 front bushing insert from the Diff if you don't when the sound anymore...I have done this...

Be sure, you can't broke anything I have asked Whiteline directly.

See my post for more détails...