Clunk when putting in reverse? Dana 35 shot?

[knever3]

On my Comanche I put it in reverse and I hear a clunk that sounds just like a bad rear u-joint.  The drive shaft and joints are new and have no play.  I was under the truck while my wife put it in reverse and drive.  The driveshaft seemed to move 90 degrees without the truck moving at all.  I am thinking excessive ring and pinion wear, but any other ideas of where to look would be helpful.

 

I have the aw4 and 242 case with the lowly Dana 35.  I have read somewhere that the spline on the output of the case could be bad.  Seems like a long shot though.  I didn't have the time to spend today checking everything over so any replies would help when I do get time.

 

Thanks

[87Chief]

Take the driveshaft out, do the same thing, but watch for fluid, it might leak out. If it still clunks then it's in the transmission.

[banshee]

Do you have a locker? If the R&P were bad enough to allow 90degree motion it's out or missing a couple teeth

 

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[knever3]

I do not have a locker, and if I took out the driveshaft the output shaft would spin without any braking so I don't get what you mean there.  I would also have to shut the truck off because the trans would keep spinning and try to grind to go back into park.  If I'm off base let me know on that. 

[gogmorgo]

I believe the suggestion was to take the driveshaft out to attempt to establish where the play is, whether at the trans/tcase output or at the axle.

However, if the driveshaft is turning and the wheels aren't, when you're shifting from drive to reverse, then I think it makes a pretty strong case for the play to be in the rear end. If it were me, I'd keep driving it for now, but I'd start looking for a spare axle to replace it with before it breaks. Go for something better than a D35.

[Wiggilez]

I believe the suggestion was to take the driveshaft out to attempt to establish where the play is, whether at the trans/tcase output or at the axle.

However, if the driveshaft is turning and the wheels aren't, when you're shifting from drive to reverse, then I think it makes a pretty strong case for the play to be in the rear end. If it were me, I'd keep driving it for now, but I'd start looking for a spare axle to replace it with before it breaks. Go for something better than a D35.

a concur for it being the axle, mine does the same with a 5 speed 4X4.