my wife got home tonight and said her car was making a weird noise.

I got in and when i put it in drive, i heard a metallic "clunk" when the driveshaft "loaded".

then i drove it for a few minutes, and when i would hit a bump or slow down then speed up, i get a metal clunk shound, then intermittently when driving it will "clink"...

I got under the car and it sounds like it is coming from the rear differential area, I listened from both sides with my head under the car and from both sides it sounds like it is coming from the middle...

Is there a u joint or something that is at the rear end of the driveshaft that can fail?

 

I have had some trouble with the seal on my diff. I have a 1998 Vanden plas. There is only one universal in the center of the drive shaft. It has a bearing housing around it. The drive shaft mounts to the diff and trans through a rubber isolator. Check the half shafts coming off the diff to wheels. If the rear is gone it's pricey. Go used. Dealer wanted $2200 for reman from Mexico! Hope this helps some. Did it leak at all?

 

i see some fluid on the crosssmember under the front of the diff.

i would have expected some whining, etc from the diff first.

taking it in today to get checked out.

 

better news that i was thinking...

it was a cv joint in the rear axle...
I decided to replace them all while they were under there...
about $700.00