I think I'll have to remove my rear axle shafts to check them unless there's a better way. Pictures would be great, but no rush.
Both of my rubber boots are cracked and old. It looks like I'll have to pull each side apart in the process of removing them from the car. When the prior owner insalled a Nissan LSD differential the inner flanges used are too large to slide through the trailing arm boss (opening) as a single unit the way the manual states can be done.
I'm trying the track down the cause of a "thump" I'm getting while shifting at high rpms in first and second, as well as a knock I get periodically when first letting the clutch out in first gear.
With the car in the air I was able to detect about an inch of radial play in the driver's side wheel while holding the inner axle shaft tight. Is that normal, or was I detecting something wrong with the inner u-joint or the splined axles?
How much play there is normal?
Another question while I'm at it. Can the driveshaft be removed without removing the inside center transmission cover?
I can see where the driveshaft had to be shortened, and it's very close to the tunnel, like 1/4 inch. I'm wondering how good those u-joints are.
Something is clunking/thumping somewhere, but, again, only on high rpm shifts and on "periodic" first clutch engagements.
As best I can tell, the front and rear bridge mounts for the differential are solid.
Thanks for all the help.