which part usually makes a clanging sound the u-joint or drive shafts?

Answer 1

usually the ujoint. Is it a GM Truck ? then it could be a worn slip yoke


Drivetrain - Normal Clunk Shifting Between 'D' & 'R'
Notes

Bulletin No.: 99-04-20-002C

Date: January 31, 2005

INFORMATION
Subject:
Driveline Clunk Noise When Shifting Between PARK and DRIVE, PARK and REVERSE or DRIVE and REVERSE

Models:
2005 and Prior GM Light Duty Truck Models

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-20-002B (Section 04 - Driveline/Axle).
Important: The condition described in this bulletin should not be confused with the following previous bulletins:

^ Info - Discontinue Flushing and Replacing Transfer Case Fluid Due to Bump/Clunk Concern (Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-004A or newer).

^ Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke) (Corporate Bulletin Number O1-04-17-004B or newer).

Some owners of light duty trucks equipped with automatic transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise when shifting between Park and Drive, Park and Reverse, or Drive and Reverse. Similarly, owners of vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise while driving when the accelerator is quickly depressed and then released.

Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance or freeplay (also known as lash) can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gear is loaded and unloaded quickly, or whenever the direction of rotation is reversed. The more gears you have in a system, the more freeplay the total system will have.

The clunk noise that owners sometimes hear may be the result of a build-up of freeplay (lash) between the components in the driveline.

For example, the potential for a driveline clunk would be greater in a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. This is because in addition to the freeplay from the rear axle gears, the universal joints, and the transmission (common to both vehicles), the 4-wheel drive transfer case gears (and their associated clearances) add additional freeplay to the driveline.

In service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions for the following reasons:
^ Comments of driveline clunk are almost never the result of one individual component with excessive lash, but rather the result of the added affect of freeplay (or lash) present in all of the driveline components.

Because all of the components in the driveline have a certain amount of lash by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory lash reduction.
^ While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, this will not adversely affect durability or performance. For additional diagnostic information, refer to the appropriate Service Information.

Answer 2

Cv joints are on front wheel drive,u-joints and drive shafts are rear wheel drive.The "clanging" you refer to could be the u-joint,worn yoke or worn gears in the differential(rear end)It could also be loose or broken bolts on the tourque converter.In any case,you need to have a reputable mechanic diagnose,pinpoint and fix the problem a.s.a.p.

Answer 3

U-joint

Answer 4

The u joint on the drive shaft.

Answer 5

depending on your vehicle it could be u-joints if it is rear wheel drive or cv joints if it is front wheel drive if it is the later it is cheaper and easier to replace whole cv shaft instead of each cv joint

Answer 6

I have the same problem..over here we call it the ..CV joint..It will cost me about $au300 to get fixed.....good luck

Answer 7

U joint. I need to replace mine myself.

Answer 8

its probably the differential