Drive shaft clunk

[fernandoh]

My 2003 automatic 4WD has a clunk in the rear U joint of the drive shaft (a very long piece with only 2 U joints). The clunk is noticed when slowly braking in traffic conditions and is due to some extra free play in the U joint at the rear, close to the 4 bolts differential linkage. I circled the problem (no clunk when you brake in neutral) and is related to changes in the relative position of the diferential and the shaft (bumps may produce similar sounds). Then I put a new ordinary joint in there and the clunk was solved for some 1000 km. It returned soon and new better (no Nissan) joints of a reputed brand failed since day one. Reading somewhere I got the information that the clips that hold the U joint in place can be of different thicknesses to keep the free movement of the joint in the range of 0.1 mm or less. But I can't get that parts around here and the new parts only has the standard clips. Any ideas or places where to find that oversized clips? Other aspects?

[nismoracingsx]

My 2003 automatic 4WD has a clunk in the rear U joint of the drive shaft (a very long piece with only 2 U joints). The clunk is noticed when slowly braking in traffic conditions and is due to some extra free play in the U joint at the rear, close to the 4 bolts differential linkage. I circled the problem (no clunk when you brake in neutral) and is related to changes in the relative position of the diferential and the shaft (bumps may produce similar sounds). Then I put a new ordinary joint in there and the clunk was solved for some 1000 km. It returned soon and new better (no Nissan) joints of a reputed brand failed since day one. Reading somewhere I got the information that the clips that hold the U joint in place can be of different thicknesses to keep the free movement of the joint in the range of 0.1 mm or less. But I can't get that parts around here and the new parts only has the standard clips. Any ideas or places where to find that oversized clips? Other aspects?

I'm not too familiar on 4wd as i'm an S13 guy. But a co-worker of mine was reading and says that the backlash on your rear end may be off causing undue wear on the u-joint. Any shop that does rear-end work should be able to supply you w/ necessary shims and could even do measurements for you to help you out. GL

[fernandoh]

Thanks but is not the differential. The cheap U joint solved the topic for a few km. But it was too much ordinary to resist the torque. And no action was done in the diferential by then. I read in a Nissan SB about the free play and the clips sizes (even they have different colors to differentes widths).