Clunky rear

Ok, just bought the car a week ago, paid 2k out the door tax, tags, etc. So I knew it needed work. Going straight is fine. If I turn right the car clunks and pops. My roomie noticed the right rear tire wobbles even when going straight. Lug nuts are tight. Can anyone tell me the following.
1.) What to check
2.) how to check it
3.) Where to buy new/rebuilt parts for the cheapest (US Marine, my payday isn't glamorous)

I've been fixing cars for a long time, but this is the first time I ever dealt with Independent Rear Suspension. Thanks in advance!

Matt

OK Matt, welcome to the Corvette world
Check the rear U joints as well as the rear suspension system (spring). The rear could be low on lubricant which may be the lesser of 2 evils but I would replace the u joints and inspect the 1/2 shafts

Welcome to the world of wandering rear ends ,the clunk could be many things, I replaced all the u-joints sway arm bushings stabilizers and bushings,axle bearings. still had the noise,It was the differential. drain out as much of the old oil as you can I use a hand syphin pump add 2 quarts of lube and 1 bottle of G.M. limited slip additive,put the additive in first then add the rest of the lube.I did this twice just for fun no more noise.the wobble could be a bent spindle or possibly bad axle bearings.If the bearings are bad ,you may as well do both axles while youve got it off the ground.I get most of my parts from mid-america or corvette central,but there are many places to get them .good luck . ron 78

Had a similar thing with our 78. Went to Gm and got a complete Lube change for the rear end 2years ago.Have not heard a sound since!! Hope it works for you as well. Regards Runamuck

The manual calls for 2 little bottles of posi additive.
Get yourself the repair manual package at
Helms Publications.com. You will need them to patch an
old Vette-like I did.
Good luck with your project!
Enjoy!
Steve

Thanks for the help all. I'll be working on the Dash harness and the rear end this weekend. I'll let you all know what I find out. Thanks again.
Semper Fidelis

welcome matt you may want to check the play in the spindles the wheel bearing could be bad if so you need to replace be for your spindle fail this is a pretty big job to replace | jim h.

|UPDATED|8/21/2003 4:02:43 PM|/UPDATED|

Oh no not a jarhead!

Hows the stumps man?
Im at lejeune!
Hope you get the car fixed up good!


johnny

The Stumps is still the Stumps. Too damn hot, but lately it's been flooded! Unbelieveable, flash floods and swift water rescues in the middle of the desert.

sounds like rear trailing arm bushings. when there bad it pulls out the axles making it sound like u joints. the best thing to do is to put the car in the air and so if the axles are pulled out. If, so its the bushings its a very involved job. i just did it on my 76. The bolt siezes to the inner sleeve. you will have to cut it out with a torch, refurbirch--replace trailing arms. press bushings, etc. while your at it you might as well do the upper control arm bushings and have the whole car aligned when you are done it is very costely and labor intensive.