Rear diff backlash

I seem to have a lot of backlash in my rear diff. This is noticeable from coming on and off the throttle quickly, I can hear the typical clonking noise, Any one else experiencing this?.
I never noticed it before I had the air locker installed, so I'm not sure if ARB have stuffed it up or maybe I just noticed it because I was looking for it.

How long ago was the locker installed?
I know the sound. My old Toyota work van had it and in that case it was a bush. Don't know which one and didn't care as it was a company vehicle. It got repaired after I drove around for over 100 000k before I mentioned it to the mechanic. So in that case it wasn't fatal but in this case it might be worth talking to whoever installed the locker.

Only done around 2000k since installed, I maybe just imagining things but the clonk seems excessive, I'll give it a boot full on Saturday, then get ARB to have a look next week

Aido did you get my PM?

Hey mate,
I know the last D40 locker we did at work was a bit of a wild one.
The car was brand new and the backlash was so far in excess of what it was meant to be it was not funny.
When we reinstalled the locker we set it to spec (listed in ARB instructions for that vehicle) and so far all good.

Maybe rather than setting up to spec they did not think about it and just set it up to what it was when it came out? Pretty common to do this but if it is out of spec to start with it could pose a problem.

Just a theory but worth getting on to straight away to avoid excessive wear.

If the Crown & Pinion backlash is set correctly and the correct oil & level are present you wont get noise coming from that gearset.,

so probably needs looking at.

4.8GU said:

Maybe rather than setting up to spec they did not think about it and just set it up to what it was when it came out? Pretty common to do this but if it is out of spec to start with it could pose a problem.

Just a theory but worth getting on to straight away to avoid excessive wear.

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Thats what I was thinking, there Dana diffs so I wouldn't be suprised if it wasn't set up properly.

Dave.

I have a backlash problem at the moment. How can it be rectified? Do i need to take it to a mechanic or can i do it myself?

Bit more to a diff than backlash to be honest.

If it is running excessively on the heel or toe it will also cause a noisy diff.
Only way to test it properly is to put some bearing blue on it and see where the teeth are meshing.

If it is a backlash problem, it will need to go to a mechanical shop or diff specialist to set it properly.

If it is a meshing problem the pinion will need to be shimmed to correct it.

Sounds expensive

Could it be in the uni?? or would that have a more consistent noise, and not just when you get on and off the throttle??

Biscuits said:

I have a backlash problem at the moment. How can it be rectified? Do i need to take it to a mechanic or can i do it myself?

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take it to a diff specialist.

re the original post....
could also be, worn axle splines, uni's as mentioned, tailshaft fasteners loose, worn crown carrier bearings, worn diff (spider) gears
crown wheel adj (shims or adjusting nuts) and pinion adj (shims)go hand in hand for correct pattern and minimal noise

Leprechaun said:

I seem to have a lot of backlash in my rear diff. This is noticeable from coming on and off the throttle quickly, I can hear the typical clonking noise, Any one else experiencing this?.
I never noticed it before I had the air locker installed, so I'm not sure if ARB have stuffed it up or maybe I just noticed it because I was looking for it.

Click to expand...

So a bit over 1 and a half years later you've had it fixed????
what was the prob??

Krankin said:

So a bit over 1 and a half years later you've had it fixed????
what was the prob??

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Nope saw the light and traded it in on a Patrol. Now when I go wheeling its more of this instead of this

Leprechaun said:

Nope saw the light and traded it in on a Patrol. Now when I go wheeling its more of this instead of this

Click to expand...

there ya go......another thread

My Nav is in the shop today. Turns out my issue was not backlash.

My uni joint was moments away from a complete failure. Guess i will be getting under my car a little more often to be having a look at things. Non-Electrical things that is.