Bad halfshaft u-joint?

[wagonizzle]

So I've had a small clunk in the rear for some time now. It will occur when parallel parking, mostly. As I am backing up into the space, as soon as I hot the brakes, CLUNK. When doing the rear brakes yesterday, I grabbed the halfshaft close to the diff and tried turning the brake rotor (e-brake set). I can feel the play causing the clunk in the u-joint closest to the hub. The other side has VERY little play. Is this cause for concern? Is there anything to do except replace the halfshaft (@$350)? Thanks for your opinions -

Jack

[ErykTheRead]

Same question. I have 250k. Have a set of used half shafts in the basement with half the mileage I might swap on, along with the diff...

-E

[T.Dot E30]

A more common cause of clunks when backing up is the rear pads, if they are loose when they change directions it clunks, but only happens once when backing up, doens't usually happen going forward. I did my brakes and it went away.

I doubt the half-shaft would cause a clunk only at the certin time, it would do it more frequently, since its always turning at the same angle.

[ErykTheRead]

A more common cause of clunks when backing up is the rear pads, if they are loose when they change directions it clunks, but only happens once when backing up, doens't usually happen going forward. I did my brakes and it went away.

I doubt the half-shaft would cause a clunk only at the certin time, it would do it more frequently, since its always turning at the same angle.

It is when the drivetrain reverses load (from engine turning wheels to engine braking wheels).

Pads are interesting though. I don't think it is my problem since I also get nasty "bounce" in the drivetrain.

-E