ratcheting noise from rear end

[RallyRed 98]

all right... since the clutch went in i guess times are getting tough downstream.

about an hour ago as i was leaving my driveway, something in the rear of the car (sounded like it was coming from the pumpkin) starting making a speed-correlated ratcheting noise. it sounds exactly like a ratchet/playing card in bicycle spokes. it is not in the motor. it doesn't really show up until about 15 MPH, and it doesn't get any louder or quieter; the rate just increases or decreases according to vehicle speed. i haven't tried it in reverse.

i have NO idea what it is, but i am leaning towards a bearing... anybody ever heard this noise before?

[98goldbird]

I had a noise somewhat like that coming from the rear, but it turned out that my spare tire and jack weren't secured enough. It may sound farfetched, but you might wanna try that.

[RallyRed 98]

my spare tire and jack are currently out of the car... doh!

i'm thinking/hoping it's a bearing... possibly the pinion bearing or a tooth out of the ring. i have been wanting 3.73s so maybe now is the time...

i'm going to break the rear down saturday (gotta try out my new 3/8 impact drive) and replace the bearings; i hope that makes a difference.

thanks for the support 98goldbird; this is the best site in teh w0r1d

[98goldbird]

lol, seriously, it is! Otherwise, my car would SUCK! Ya right, an F-body can never suck, unless it's a 3.4 [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] JK JK JK guys. Back on topic.

['98 BlackBird]

When I first got my new gears in, it made that kind of sound. I added the limited slip diff fluid to it, and it went away. I guess I should ask first, do you have a LSD?