So I,ve been ignoring the clunking sound for a couple of weeks now
I figured I would look into it.

I have a d 35 c and the clunking is coming from the rear. I can actually (with the xj on the ground) hear the noise when i move the tires on both sides in and out. It sounds like the the drum is moving hiting the back plate. Anyway I lifted it up and there is a little play, it seems like more then there should be. My abs light poped on couple of days ago too and stays on. I thought would either be caused by to much play or rust from the rotor. I checked the brakes and here fine.

Before I start taking anything else off
I was wondering what is the usuall play if any, also anyone else ever have this sound.

 

Is there supposed to any play?

If the bearings went bad there would be a whining sound right or leaking out of the seals?

 

anyone?

 

A little play "in and out" is normal, the semiaxle-hub-drum-wheel assembly floats a little by the c clip, but just a little (2 millimeters). Up and down is bad, means the bearing is worn. If the abs sensor has been rubbed by the phonical wheel (that kind of gear-like on the hub) it is probably the cause of the light to come on.

 

If you are rocking it from left to right or vice versa you will get a clunk from the c clips themselves. thier sould be really no play from the brgs (up and down) in and out would only be the clips.

 

Thanx guys.

I don't have any play up and down.

I guess he clunking noise is coming from somwhere then. I checked he u joint, nothing there either. It's weird because it seem to be more pronounced after driving it for awhile. It doesn' seem to be affecting anyhing, but it gets annoying when Im driving around town. You can't hear it on the highway or a speeds over 40 or so.

Any ideas?

 

have you checked all your bushes etc, noise might not be the axle itself?

i had a clunk which turned out to be a worn bar pin in the rear shock, was damn anoying to
wortha look

 

Oh yess! I had that too, the bushings collapse and the shock hits the pin or the chassis. Very nasty.

 

I just did the suspension my yj.

I was hoping to wait to next month to even look at my xj.

There pretty bad in the back. I actually have coil over shocks in the rear which are in pretty bad shape. I assumed the previous owner did some towing and added them on. I'll deff look into it.

 

Hmmm..., have u checked ring and pinion play? Put the transmission in park and the TC in neutral on a flat plane surface, slide under the rear and turn the shaft with your hands, if it has more than 1/2 to 1 inch of rotational play it's that.

 

i have the same thing with my 93 xj. i built a rack for the roof my brother asked me if it was strong so i grabbed the thing and shook the hell out of it. thats when i herd the clunk. when i go home i jacked it up and pulled in and out on the tire. and there it was. the other side dosnt do it at all.

is something i should keep an eye on?
i plan on flat towing it down the east coast. i wont know whats going on from inside my motor home.

thanks

 

Bringing this thread back to life.. I am having this exact problem on my 90 with 35. First ill say I know that it is not bushings or suspension components. If I have a buddy shake the tire while I am underneath I can see the drum moving in and out.

Tonight we pulled the diff cover and shook the tire again. You can see the axle moving slightly in and out and up and down, But just slightly. Not just on one side but both. Also I was told that 90 d35's were C clip style. I didnt see the C clips in there anywere?

Anyways here is a couple videos.

 

You don't see them unless you remove the carrier center pin, anyway the play is ok.

 

After I posted I realized I didn't pull out the pin and look deep enough. Anyways, even after watching the video's you say that is normal?

 

Mine does the same, and is a non c clip.