Differential Clunk

[kermit]

My car has been resting this winter due to the cold and salt on the road but I was able to get out last week for a short run. Upon putting the car in reverse and backing up I heard a clunk from the area of the rear axle and I assumed it was the differential.

Is that normal for a cold car that has been sitting for awhile?

It may be time to check the fluid back there and I was wondering how to do it.
Cheers
Scott

80 TR7 DHC with ZS Carbs
Brooklands Green

[Hasbeen]

Scott, on the right hand side, [looking from the rear of the car],
lower front part of the diff housing, [the big cast iron bit], you
will find a large bolt head.

With the car level, remove this bung, [bolt].

The diff is full when the oil just overflows from this hole.

If no oil is comming out, fill with Hypoid 80, [cool/cold, 90 for
hot places] until it overflows, & allow to stop overflowing. Replace
the bung. Job done.

There is no provision to drain the diff. To drain the oil, you must
either suck it out, through that hole, or remove the rear cover, to
drain it. [Triumph probably did not expect any 7s would last long
enough to require the diff oil to be changed]. [JOKE!!!]

There could be a dozen reasons for your "CLUNK", after sitting for
some time, many of them quite benign.

The real question is, is it still happening, & if so, when.
If it is, does it happen, only when you shift from forward to
reverse, or reverse to forward? Does it also happen each time you
lift off, then accelerate?


You need to give doctor death a few more details to aid a diagnosis.

Hasbeen

[Rayjones]

Sometimes if a car has been sitting a while with the handbrake on the rear brake shoes don't always release, you get a "clunk" as they come off. Only seems to happen when you reverse though!

Ray

1980 UK BRG 2L DHC