Clicking noise
 

I have recently noticed a pretty solid clicking noise when my car gets up to speed from say 10mph to 45 its p bad.. beyond that idk.

I jacked up some of the wheels today and when i turned the front wheels, the noise did not occur.
When i went to turn the rear wheels, the clicking noise happened.

WHen i got under the car and turned the tire with my foot, To me it sounds like a clicking noise just behind the oil pan...

Any ideas as to what it could be?

A click to one revolution of the driveshaft?
Multiple clicks to one revolution of driveshaft?
Pop out VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor - and see if click is still present.
If automatic, could be the parking pawl just barely hitting the ring gear and cable needs adjusting

It clicks once per revolution of the drive shaft.

It is an automatic.

Status Update...

I took it into a shop to have it inspected.
They called me and said they fixed the issue and that the issue was a big rock in the tire tread.

Which i already knew was incorrect because like i said, I hear the noise when the car is in a drive gear.
When i turn the drive shaft with my hand while the rear wheels jacked up, i hear a sort of clicking noise 1 click per revolution..

It actually sounds like just like what a rock sounds like in the tread of a tire so i understand why they thought that was the issue.

So over the past two days, i have been working on a transmission fluid change.
I put castrol Trans fluid the correct stuff and a bottle of Lucas Automatic Transmission Fluid Conditioner because it clearly states that it:
"Reduces noise and shudder"

I also did a new gasket and filter, cleaned the pan really well with brake cleaner and the gasket went on nice and smooth.

It seems like it might have helped a little bit.. not enough to really tell.

The click is still there...
I've heard that it could be the flex plate? and the the bolts could be rubbing?

When i put in the new engine, i also had them install a new flex plate.. so i'm not sure if that would be the issue...

Also, there were no metal particles in the transmission pan and the transmission shifts just fine. No slips, studders etc.

The drive shaft is hard to turn fast by hand so with it being in a mechanic shop, you can barely hear the click with all hte ratcheting / power tools going on...

They told me they would need to tear the tranny down to take a look inside..
quoted me 2.2$ for r&r 100k mile warranty for a jasper transmission.

I think i will take it to another shop and get a second opinion...
The click sounds just like a rock stuck in a tire,

Any ideas of where i should start etc??

Also, just to make sure, i had them replace the front U Joint.
Still the lcicking is there..

On earlier model trans, i.e., Powerglide, THM350, & THM400, there is a governor on the output shaft.
Governor consists of weights on a shaft and as the output shaft spins faster, weights react against oil pressure in the valve body for making WOT upshifts.
When traveling slow, the weight going to the end of the shaft will make a click.

With a 1990 model, 4L60e trans, your second opinion shop could remove the tailshaft extension and see what's inside - no need for trans removal - remove d/shaft, support trans by oil pan rail, and remove extension. Reassemble reverse order.

Good luck Flex plate crack would follow engine rpm.
Your click follows driveshaft rpm.

i took it to a transmission shop and the mechanic put a stethoscope on the Governor and i turned the driveshaft and the clicking noise sounds like it's coming from right there,
i'm going to pick up a governor today and see how the install goes.

Once again Everett, I appreciate the help! If i knew ya i'd buy ya some beer haha

You're welcome.
How does WOT upshifts work? (Wide Open Throttle)
What RPM does the trans upshift?

i'm not sure, i will ahve to get back to you on that.
after a month the noise has not gotten worse or better.

And i also did a transmission change. I drained all of the fluid. Gave it a new gasket, new filter, also put some of that lucas transmission conditioner. still nothing changed. also replaced the governor in the transmisison.. still hasnt changed. it sounds like it's coming from the governor, idk though.

Remove the governor and go for a drive.
Governor is for WOT upshifts.

You mean, i can drive it around ? in like 1st gear? without the governor in my transmission?

Yes you can

You may not need to take it for a ride nor hassle with lifting and dropping the car multiple times. With the governor cover popped off, you should be able to hear a louder click. Wrap the weights with a rubber band and do the turn test again and listen, hopefully for silence. You said you were replacing the governor anyway. If you have it in hand, pop in and go.

Is it fine to just remove the governor and turn the drive shaft to see if the noise persists without the governor installed?
That way i don't have to mess with a rubber band.

After that, the governor should still just slide right in, correct?

Yes and correct

This has nothing to do with the problem in this thread. However, long long ago, when I was in charge of maintaining emergency power plants for AT&T, the tech assigned to do PMs on the turbines, came in with half a load on, and was not able to get one of the 3000 KW turbines to run at the proper speed. His solution was to tie the governor weights with a string. This worked OK while the engine was under full load, but when the load was dropped, the engine pegged the rev counter an flung several turbine blades right through the housing. Only cost $500K for repairs. The tech wound working outside as a linesman, I got yelled at and, wound up writing a 50 page report.

Thanks again Everett and Camaro69! I will do the diagnostic soon and get back here with the results!