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Hi all
I'm new to the subaru game, always had nissans.
I've recently bought a 87 rx L series running a ej20t, I have lowered it and am now having probs with the rear drive shafts clunking when I taking off (accelerating) the drive shafts are now up at an angle this is were I think the clunking etc is coming from is there a solution that anyone knows about or any suggestions would be appreciated (maybe longer shafts are available ), I am based in perth wa.
cheers alan

are you sure they are not just on there way out?

they were perfect yesterday lowered it all last night and the clunking started straight away

checked all the pins in ya rear cv's?

culd be purely coincidental liek backlash starting in the diff or the unijoints on propshaft on there way out

went out and checked seem ok, not that i'm an expert:)
there is a fair amount of movement back and fourth ( diff centre >< to wheel ) on the shafts about 5 to 10 mm is this common?

flogged out bushes maybe?

Sounds like the shaft is to long, off memory it should be more than 5-10mm with the car on the ground. If not the shaft will hit the back of the shaft causing the clunk you described, maybe. Does it only happen on acceleration?

What style of rear diff is used ?

yeah it only happens when accerating, the style of diff I dont know all I could see on it was part number- 27011AA151 and the ratio is 3.900

Could just be something fouling somewhere, perhaps the exhaust is banging on something. I'm not bad at figuring noises out, take me for a spin sometime. Is it an RX Sedan? I'm hopefully going to be building mine up sometime soon with EJ20turbo.

it's definetly not the exhaust but your more than welcome to come on over as is anyone else and I'll take you for a spin, yep it's an rx sedan.

Now this could have us all there…

well your all welcome but she's not going to fast at the moment because of the clunking

what sort of gearbox is it? (may help identify the diff)
is it EJ AWD box? if so there would not be an adapter plate between the box and motor. If there is a an adapter plate about 12mm thick you must have an EA style box and rear diff.

Curious because I also have a 3/87 auto turbo 4WD sedan and thinking of shovin' in FWD rear springs to se if it goes lower at its arse

Can you tell if the knock is in direct relation to car speed? Is there any signs/markings of anything rubbing on something else in the rear as it she be leaving a mark? Eg if its only doing it under acceleration have a look in the tunnel near the front of the diff, or around your rear drive shaft boots.

thanks guys went and saw tony flood today used to rally subaru's and pit crew for the australian works team, apparently the drive shafts are to long so I've gotta now try and find some shorter shafts to suit an r180 diff anyone..

thankyou verymuch for all your help It's been very much appreciated

Jono I think you'll find that having a full tank of juice and a boot full of various Subaru conversion bits will level it out ! How could I know this ....

I find the factory RX sedan springs to be sort of ok though the dampers leave a bit to be desired . I've yet to get back to my handling god but I'm pretty sure its the anti roll bars that will make a big difference to a road RX . Front and rear really need to be larger to increase roll stifness and its a similar path with an Impreza .

As to rear springs the only way to have it level and stay that way (remember fuel and boot content weight) is to increase the spring rate and use shorter fitted length springs . If you do this be very sure that the springs remain trapped between their seats at full extention (full droop) because it gets dangerous if they don't and may not self relocate when the suspension compresses again . Misplaced springs have been known to chop brake lines and tear the inner sidewalls out of tyres at times . Not something you want to take chances with . Shorter springs often need short dampers to make it all work properly .

Cheers A .

R180 diff ? is that a subaru term ? shorter shafts for an L series ? well if L series are wider in the front than an MY, maybe MY rear shafts will do the trick for lowered L ? the fronts have 45mm difference

and curiosity asks what sorta gearbox you got ?

A. will keep this in mind!

sounds to me like its running the full ej driveline if its got a R180 diff?