Couple problems, not sure if they're related.

[666_speed]

I have a couple of problems and I'm not sure if they're related but I believe they are. When the back tires loose traction (ie: gravels, spinning tires, bump in the road, hard braking, rain) there is something that knocks, you can hear and feel it hitting the bottom of the car. It gets considerably worse in the rain. It is almost undrivable in the rain. Also ONLY when it's raining, whatever it is, makes a loud repeated popping noise. Kinda like popping bubble wrapping sound. It'll do that for a while, especially if I drive through a puddle of water.

What I've checked so far: I thought at first the knocking would the the transmission mount because it feels like the problem is right through that area. The transmission mount is fine. I thought maybe there was an exhaust mount broke and there is not, they're all fine. The only thing I know of left in that area would be the drive shaft. Would a U joint be going bad? Possibly when I hit water it washes enough of the buildup out to hear it making that popping sound on the bearings? Also when checking the driveshaft, you can pull on it and it has maybe 1/16th of an inch sway back and forth. Is that normal? Thanks for any and all help!

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by 666_speed

Also when checking the driveshaft, you can pull on it and it has maybe 1/16th of an inch sway back and forth. Is that normal? Thanks for any and all help!

I'm probably not much help here, but the driveshaft in MY maro will TWIST about 1/4" of an inch, but as far as "sway back and forth" it doesn't move.

Are you talking back and forth from the front to back, or side to side? As in loose, jiggle-like or tight but will side back and forth between the rear and tailshaft of the trans?

[97cavalier]

It sounds like a u-joint. but is it when you hit the gas and lose traction or the brake?

[666_speed]

Both, braking and hit the gas, and the drive shaft moves a little side to side and front to back.

[97cavalier]

have a tranny place look at it, but sound to me like a u-joint.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by 666_speed

Both, braking and hit the gas, and the drive shaft moves a little side to side and front to back.

I would suspect that is your knocking noise. I'll have to look at mine again, I think it does move a TAD front and back, but it's solid side to side, up and down. I'd check that you have the drive shaft clamps tightened down all the way, and then if they are, I'd probably just replace the u-joints anyway, they're only like $40 for top of the line, can get regular ones for like $20.