After replacing all the bushings, struts and springs and putting in a Ron Tyler Diff mount, I finally found out where the famous rear clunk problem is on my 1978 280Z. It is clunking where the axle flanges go into the side of the differential. I can push, pull and rotate the flange and feel the slop while I'm staring at it. Is it usually the side output bearing that goes bad or or the gear teeth on the companion flange to the diff gear itself? Most of these rear clunk problems seem to come from other areas such as the diff mount or the U-Joints. Mine are good. Thanks for any info!

 

Pop it out and inspect.

 

sounds like a retainer clip fell out of the side or spider gear that holds in plae the axle, easy fix if thats all it is unless u have busted teeth

 

Thanks! I'm going to check!