Jeep Repair: rear differentail clunk ?, ring and pinion gear, jeep cheokee


Question
My recently purchased 89 jeep cheokee sport with 200800 miles, has a low speed clunk sound in the back, some times up to three clunks. It is fine after that. the rear differential was rebuilt about 30000 miles ago by the previous owner. there was a small whine in the rear end when I bought it but changed the lubriction and added the posi traction fluid.
thank you
gary holland  

Answer
Clunks in axles are usually the sign that the ring and pinion gear are not messing.  I will bet the previous owner tried to do it himself and did not have the right tools to adjust the preloads properly.
Another cause could be bad u-joints on the rear axle.