tremec tko600 or driveline problems

[C0V3R]

I have a bit of a nasty clunk in the drive train that appears when I let off the throttle quickly or apply it after coasting. It seems like its related to loading or unloading the drive train.

I have:
- New TKO 600
- New drive shaft + uni joints
- Replaced the whole diff chunk after thinking that might be the issue and to get better gear ratios (still makes noise, but it could be similarly worn to the old one)

I just ran it up on jack stands and its making clanging rattling noises intermittently (but frequently) and when you blip the throttle you get a little more.

Ok heres a video of the lovely gearbox noises, mostly just idling in second with a few blips of the throttle. The noises are clearly emanating from the gearbox.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdHgAWKK3ns

Havent found anything much useful about this sort of problem yet.

Any idea on whats causing it and/or how to fix it?

[strictlypersonl]

Get a stethoscope or just hold up a hose to the gearbox case. Put the other end in your ear. It sure sounds ugly - like there's a bad bearing or something floating around.

[Clois Harlan]

Long shot but check your transmission mounting bracket and then check your mounting points on your pumpkin (assuming IRS).

Clois

[lineslinger]

That sounds like you have a loose piece dancing around inside the gear box. The clacking sounds like it is occuring consistently at certain load levels and/or rpms, whenever there is a power or stress shift up or down on the drive train.
It sounds to me like there is something loose but still attached inside the box. I wouldn't run it any more until you are able to inspect the interior of the tranny. A major PIA but it isn't going to fix itself, only get worse.
If that 600 is new consider yanking it, sending it back and telling them to send you a new one. It isn't that hard to tell that noise is coming from inside.
I am sending you a PM.

[Dangerous Doug]

I may be stating the obvious, but I'd say pull the driveline and test it again. If you have the noise, it's likely in the transmission.

If you don't, then check the rear differential for play, and check the bearings on the u-joints.

I'd be interested in the final prognosis.

DD

[C0V3R]

DDoug - Do you mean run it up in the air without the driveshaft attached to the geabox? What would that show? There wouldnt be much/any load on the tailshaft of the box?

There is some rear differential play. However, I have swapped the diff for a different center and the noises still sound exactly the same. This is a video of the car with the handbrake on with wheels on the ground

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqnbEiv1y5M

There didnt seem to be excessive backlash in the crown & pinion when I had it out.

Linesligner - Thanks for the PM. I am about 30 days out of my 90 day warranty, partly due to the fact that when the box was shipped (to Australia) it was shipped without a x member which lead to me having to fab it up after work .

Clois Harlan - Its a solid axle setup in a 68 mustang, rather than a cobra. The mounting bracket appears to be ok and the box wasnt really moving when it was making all that noise

strictlypersonl - I'll try that today.

[C0V3R]

I did a check to see if the yoke engagement was having an effect anyway. I unbolted the drive shaft from the diff and checked the play in the gearbox at various engagement depths - see this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9w_dXOhOSs

I checked the play in 2nd gear in that video. It seems like there might be play in the gear set, and that the play was the same regardless of engagement depth. I have heard that some new tremecs may have been shipped with incorrect shimming... my research continues....