tp@whsmithnet.co.uk said:
> Ryan Press writes:
>>
>> Yah the transaxle feels tight, shifts good.  About 120k miles (odo
>> broke,
>> been fixed since).
>>
>> I hope it's not a transaxle, trying to fix this up on the cheap.  I've
>> owned about 10 various cars so far, never heard a sound like this.  I
>> had
>> a '68 Ford truck once that the rear diff was so loose you could turn the
>> driveshaft about 25 degrees by hand with the wheels still.  Made a
>> THWUNK
>> sound when you put it in gear and going down hills.  Never made a grindy
>> sound though.
>>
>> Can I check the diff by leaving it in first gear say, and jacking up one
>> wheel and turning it back and forth to see if it feels sloppy?  How much
>> would a "good" transaxle move in this situation?
>
>
>
> Hi Ryan,
>
> A diff can be noisy without exhibiting excess free play.
>
> Why not get a knowledgeable mechanic to ride with you and listen to the
> problem?
>
> Tony
>

Hi Tony,

Hmmm, I'm not too keen on mechanics, I've met enough incompetent ones
thank-you-very-much.  I a DIY kind of guy too.

Perhaps I could jack up one wheel and run the engine.  This would surely
exercise the differential, although without a load.  Also turning tightly
in parking lots does not cause any noise.  I will try this out some more
though.  Seems like high "g" forces cause the noise.

BTW that wasn't too nice what you said to VWNut....  He did say "no
expert".  We're all just trying to help each other out here; at least that
was my assumption.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help so far!  When I terminate this
problem I'll report back to the list with my findings.

Ryan