Differential ?

[Gazbo]

Need people's advice...

My NA6 has suddenly developed a soft \"thump-thump\" noise, coming from the rear, most noticeable when slowly coasting to a stop.

It's wheel speed related, noise is present whether brakes are on or off, clutch engaged or not, and in every gear.

I jacked the rear of the car up and rotated the rear wheels by hand... seems to be a bit of slop and click in the differential.

If I reverse slowly the noise is there, only more of a periodic creaking sound.

Has my differential broken? (not LSD, std open diff)
Is the universal joint stuffed?

Where and how much is a new/2nd hand diff ?

Thanks for any help..

[Alf]

Unis?

Cheers,
Alf

[Gazbo]

Problem solved...

Tip: If you hear groaning and/or creaking noises coming from the rear, check that your wheels nuts haven't come loose.

[Okibi]

Hrmz .. could be a contender for next years awards.

http://www.mx5cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=27055&start=0

[Craig]

Problem solved...

Tip: If you hear groaning and/or creaking noises coming from the rear, check that your wheels nuts haven't come loose.

Has Boags been servicing your car again???

[Hellmun]

I actually find the standard wheel nuts on my car come loose surprisingly easy. I have to tighen the standard ones during trackdays. One time I ran out of fuel and needed to make a midday pit-stop. So the car had no rego plate, no tools etc..all mid track-day and all. Then I get halfway to Goulbourne...and start hearing thud thud thud. Get out, check the wheels...sure enough the nuts are coming loose on rear left. I tighten as hard as I can by hand...go a kilometer, pull over and re-tighten so on... ended up buying a cheap toolset from supercheap, braking the multi-grips and finally getting a 17mm socket to fit on the locking nuts.... have no issue at all with the replacement nuts since though. I mixed up the four on the my rear left into the 3 other wheels after as a test to see if it was the studs or nuts....sure enough each wheel has one nut that comes loose now.

[Okibi]

Sounds like you need new wheel studs and/or nuts.

[Gazbo]

I actually find the standard wheel nuts on my car come loose surprisingly easy. I have to tighen the standard ones during trackdays. One time I ran out of fuel and needed to make a midday pit-stop. So the car had no rego plate, no tools etc..all mid track-day and all. Then I get halfway to Goulbourne...and start hearing thud thud thud. Get out, check the wheels...sure enough the nuts are coming loose on rear left. I tighten as hard as I can by hand...go a kilometer, pull over and re-tighten so on... ended up buying a cheap toolset from supercheap, braking the multi-grips and finally getting a 17mm socket to fit on the locking nuts.... have no issue at all with the replacement nuts since though. I mixed up the four on the my rear left into the 3 other wheels after as a test to see if it was the studs or nuts....sure enough each wheel has one nut that comes loose now.

I'd swapped wheels about 6 weeks ago, no problems until a few days ago when I noticed the noises after a drive (rough roads)

Left rear wheel also (co-incidence?). I have the NB8A wheels with chromed dome nuts, one of the nuts that came loose now has the outline of the stud-end showing through in the domed end.

Time for new wheel nuts then? Studs still look OK.