I have a 98 Accord, 4 clinder, Auto tranny LX. I have a clunk in the front end. I went uderneath it and wiggled the driveshafts as they leave the tranny. The solid end of the driveshaft just out of the tranny has movement up and down in them and I think this is the clunk I hear over road bumps. Are these supposed to be tight in the tranny? I have no problems changing the driveshaft/CV's, but I am afraid there is problems inside the tranny causing the movement. Any ideas?

 

I don't really know the answer for you, but how much motion?? Isit a fraction of 1mm? There's probably SOME small amount that's acceptable.

 

It seems quite excessive to me. probably 1/16" to 1/8" inch.

 

usually if it was that much you should be low on tranny fluid and/or have a decent leak. Are your struts/shocks all good?

 

Shocks and struts all seem good. Replaced one lower ball joint, and both sway bar end links. Changed brake pads, also held brake to make sure it isn't the brakes rattling. It is a pretty gooclunk. Exhaust all looks good, motor mounts fine. I just know there is alot of movement in the inner axle ends at the tranny/diff.

 

Well it seems to be getting a little worse. I am going to take apart the front soon and pull the shafts to look at them. I am hoping it is just the driveshafts, but I am not sure what else. If the diff bearings were bad, I assume the ring gear would have gone out by now. Maybe the splines on the shafts are bad, I hope the spline inside the diff are not bad.

Any other ideas?

 

Well I replaced the driveshafts and the problem is still there. The CV ends in the tranny can be moved by hand quite a bit. When I took the old ones out I can get my finger inside the diff and wiggle the diff side gears.

Any idea what the problem might be?