PA:CasaS4

I'm trying to track down the source of a drivetrain clunk when shifting or quickly accelerating/decelerating and the symptoms (and my mechanic) seems to suggest it could be the driveshaft. Upon removing the driveshaft, would it be obvious that it is failing? What am I looking for?

Diff had a ton of play in it and I just replaced it with a used one from Shokan. Even after 3 shops recommended this - I don't think this was the answer.

Other notes:
Diff mounts have all been replaced.
Control arms/bushings are fine.
The other day I had my ESP light come on while driving straight in very light rain (no puddles) and shortly thereafter, had the car pull hard to the right for no apparent reason. I don't know the relevance, but the ESP light has never come on before and this car has always tracked straight as can be.

Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.

2001 6MT

TIA - Dave

ErikS4

Sounds like a motor mount to me.

PA:CasaS4

wouldn't that rule out the motor mount? Based on where the sound was coming from, I never considered it could be a motor mount.

Thanks for the input.

DAP@EPL

Sounds like the rear diff mount. Is that what you replaced? Perhaps the used one was bad as well.

PA:CasaS4

to get rid of the excess driveline movement. These helped...a little. After installing these, the clunking was more pronounced and that's when I was told the diff was shot.

Noise appears to be coming from the general location of the diff mount, however.

Feel like I'm just throwing money at it at this point because none of the shops I've visited can diagnose it.

Thank you.

S4_Aviator :: WMS

Checked axles? With the hard pull to the right, maybe..

Hibiscus Red S4

1) Rear diff mount (big one)
2) Brakes - they can cause strange noises and definitely cause the car to pull
3) Subframe Bolts
4) Motor Mounts

PA:CasaS4

I just did rear rotors and pads - I'll have to check them out. TY

Hibiscus Red S4

No problem - Hope that's you're problem. It's most likely something that you just changed.

PA:CasaS4

Guess it's another thing to check. So many things happened at once I don't even remember where I started. Initially it was the driveline slop that I hoped to cure with diff mounts, diff bushings and the DTS. This just seemed to aggravate matters.
The vibration/clunking/diff whine became exagerated so I took it to the first shop. They said they thought it was the diff and told me to get a second opinion. I had them replace my rear brakes while it was there. Took it to shop 2 and they gave me the same answer...and replaced a wheel bearing that was bad. Took it to the dealer and they confirmed the diff was toast, so I ordered a used one from Shokan and had shop 2 install it. Still have some vibration (albeit less) and clunking.

Thanks for the input all.