Noise when putting in reverse or drive

[Sportcruiser]

I noticed that when I put the car in reverse and start backing down the driveway I hear a clanging noise. If I move forward I hear it again. However I don't hear it after the car is in motion. I also have a vibration that starts around 20mph and continues at all speeds. It is less when you leave off the throttle and it is not there at all if you put the trans in neutral while moving. I haven't raised the car to check everything out but my experience tells me it is acting like a driveshaft u-joint. Are these replaceable on the driveshaft going to the rear diff? I just bought the car and it has 200,000 miles on it. Trans was rebuilt at 185,000.
Only had a week and just love driving it. Hope it is nothing major.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Sportcruiser

I noticed that when I put the car in reverse and start backing down the driveway I hear a clanging noise. If I move forward I hear it again. However I don't hear it after the car is in motion. I also have a vibration that starts around 20mph and continues at all speeds. It is less when you leave off the throttle and it is not there at all if you put the trans in neutral while moving. I haven't raised the car to check everything out but my experience tells me it is acting like a driveshaft u-joint. Are these replaceable on the driveshaft going to the rear diff? I just bought the car and it has 200,000 miles on it. Trans was rebuilt at 185,000.
Only had a week and just love driving it. Hope it is nothing major.

Sounds remarkibly like a rear feeding driveshaft U-joint to me. I would jack it up, place my hand on it and check for slack. As for replaceable, I would assume so. I will ask my mechanic tonight (need to remove virus from his computer).

[svx_commuter]

The U-joints in the rear drive shaft are not replaceable. Doug (mohrds) went thru that and was trying to come up with a replaceable design. Well that's what I remember.

[Earthworm]

Check all your mounts as well (engine, transmission, rear diff).