i was helping my friend with a 88 camaro and i noticed when we start it up and put it in reverse there is a loud KA-CHUNK and then it rides fine but then when we put it in drive i hear the same noise. i looked under the car while he put in drive and noticed the drive shaft moved about 1/8 a turn and that is what made the noise is these a rear end problem or tranny or maybe a bad u joint. the yoke in the rear end moved with the drive shaft also so any help would be appreciated

 

Pull the cover and look in the rear end. There is too much play in the ring and pinion. Does he start it, and while its still cold and the rpms' high, drop it in reverse? I seen people blow up rear ends doing that.

 

no, it is his daily driver and he drives like a grandpa it just started doing it today

 

does it shake a little when u get up to 40mph and over that speed if so it gotta bee the u joint.

 

no real vibration, i am more of an engine guy so drive train is a hole new world to me but thx for the advice

 

May want to look at the motor, transmission, and torque arm mounts. Can't really diagnose noise from a distance.

 

its coming from the rear i suspect it is the rear end but i want to get your thoughts on it

 

Coming from therear it could be bad bushing in rear suspension parts, excessive play in rear end gears, bad U joints, bad axle bearings, brake parts moving around.Could even be the exhaust banging around. Get under there and start shaking the hell out of things.

 

i did get under there when you put it in gear while sitting still the drive shaft moves abouth an 1/8 turn and that is when it makes the noise

 

Don't sweat it, it's common. If you're not getting any noise while driving the rear end is probably fine. think about it, you don't have just the backlash to take up, you also have to take up the slop in the carrier, spider gears and axle splines.