Weird noise...

['01SilverBullet]

I was on my way home from the local Ford dealership today with a dual alternator radiator hose when I noticed an odd clinking noise when I'd let completely off the throttle and then get back into it decently.

It would happen for the most part when I was going about 35 or above, around when the torque converter locks in 3rd. It would happen only one time when I'd get on it. I'm having a real hard time telling where it's coming from, as it's relatively quiet (had to turn the radio off to easily hear it). I've had it once make the noise when I put it in gear, have not been able to replicate that, though.

I'm really hoping it's not rear end (really don't want to have a center section grenade...). I'm going to be pulling the fill plug for the rear axle tomorrow to check the level...just b/c it's in the shop for some routine maintenance work. I replaced the cover a couple summers ago, I cleaned the plug of shavings (which is to be expected with over 100k...especially if it had never been touched), hopefully it's not crammed full of metal...

Any ideas?

[Greenman01]

Check trans output shaft yoke and diff pinion yoke for play. Also check u-joints and slip joint for rotational play.

['01SilverBullet]

I was under it yesterday doing the muffler delete, and I smacked the driveshaft a few times by hand, I think it may be in the splines, might be a bit worn after almost 130k.

I think if the rear end was making that kind of noise, I'd be having other issues with it.