BANG! From rear axle

[Jezza_hr]

I was just driving home and accelerating off a roundabout when I heard a loud BANG! from the back of the car, after hearing the bang I now hear a nasty clunking and tapping noise come from the back end of the car. The car is still drivable but very noisy.

This is only days after having one of the wheel bearings at the back replaced and the noise is coming from the same side. Is there a possibility this could be a knackered half shaft? What's the likely issue? I'd like to be prepared before it's taken apart again to make it a quick fix.

[dAYTONA]

I'd say either axle or that part in the lsd that always breaks... whadayacallit ... if it's the axle, then easy fix, just replace with new one, if its the other part, then your looking at no easy fix..

[Jezza_hr]

I guess I'm trying to ascertain that if the half shaft was broken would the car still drive? I would have thought that it would pull to one side or not drive at all?

I'm also trying to figure out what you mean by the part that "always breaks" within a diff? the bearings?

[PazzaAE86]

Think he means the ring gear on the diff. Mine broke, big noises and banging as i drove along. Pulled the diff, all the teeth were smashed off the ring gear.

[Jezza_hr]

I guess draining the diff would give me a better idea then Paz? I would have thought that the ring gear would have an even more negative effect causing the car to not be drivable? I guess I was wrong. It also sounds like the noise is coming from the same side the bearing was replaced or could that just be my imagination?


EDIT: I just realised how stupid the question I asked before this edit was.

[fax0815]

You can get one from Toyota, should be pretty expensive these days (~500€)...
or you get a replacement from weirperformance.com ~300€ also sold by mcnsport.com

[NoHachi]

Wouldn't the first step be to put the car on some axle stands and check? It could be anything.. hub-bolts not tightened enough, diff gone, axle gone, calipers come loose etc etc.. all you'll get this way is useless speculation.

So put it on some stands, turn the wheels by hand and try to see if anything seems fishy. You could also start the car, put it in first and see if you can localise the noises.

[Jezza_hr]

I agree NoHachi, but with a lot of commitment to work, I haven't got the time to put the car up on stands right away, especially not in daylight. By calling on speculation from here, it can give me a better idea of how to prepare myself for what I find.

So, if it is the ring gear (which I reckon with Paz's description and my symptoms, could be possible) it gives me the chance to look through the availability and prices of replacement parts at my computer way before I find the cuplrit so I don't have to do it later.

[NoHachi]

Thats kinda jumping the gun dude...and it'll take a lot more work to find those prices etc then the five minutes it takes to put the car on stands and rotate the wheels. Trust me on that one.
Once you do that and report the symptoms, you'll get a far better diagnosis from the guys here.

[Jezza_hr]

I know it's jumping the gun a little, but it gives me something to do with my spare time at work until I can get home tonight to put the car up on stands. I've just discovered that if it is the ring gear, that I will be happily changing it for a 4.1 set. So, at least I know that much now and won't be doing that research later.

The idea here is to do some research instead of twiddling my thumbs until I get to inspect things properly. But I will appreciate any advice to follow