I describe it as "hell". I'm hoping swapping out my lightened flywheel cures it...I can't stand it. Once warm it rattles at idle and on decels. The worst is driving with the top down and driving past curbs or buildings where the sounds bounce back and I can really hear it, louder than my freaking exhaust.

other names are gear-lash or chatter

it wont. sorry.

Exhaust rattle maybe?

well it never made a noise untill I swapped the clutch and flywheel. gotta try it to buy it.

OK, so the other night, on my way home (about a 1/2 mile from home) the sound started to happen ALL THE TIME, not just on decelleration anymore. Decided i'd drive my other car for a few days (240SX) until i could get under it and see what was going on. then a few seconds later it got MUCH louder and started to sound like my diff was going...then the vibration started....then i pulled in my driveway....it was DEFINETELY from the diff area so i'm assuming the diff's gone, (which is why i've been looking at diff options the past few days) but reading through an old post made me start to think that the diff might not be completely gone, maybe i can replace just the stubshafts for now, and upgrade to a 1.8 in a few months when i have cash.......any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

Sounds like a diff problem to me.

It's DEFINETELY a diff problem, but my question is that since the car never actually locked up on me (even after i drove a good 1/2 mile after the BANG) is the entire diff gone or could it possibly be something MUCH easier/cheaper to fix?

I have never had to pull mine apart, so i'm not sure exctly what could be causing it, but have you pulled the diff off? If you have I would open it up and check the ring gear, see if the coast side is chewed up, check for preload and endplay. Sounds just like a misadjusted ring & pinion but I doubt it would just get whacked like that out of no where.. One downside to having a 7" is I never get to play with it because it never breaks. :(

still on the car....not sure when i'll get it off.....you buy the parts and come to VA and u can play with my rear diff/miata all you want, LOL

Hah sounds like a plan!

Wait you said it only makes noise when its IN gear coasting? Didn't catch that part. Are you sure it isn't a transmission issue?

mine made it before and after I swapped out the stock clutch and flywheel for my xtd/fidanza setup.

the noise was exactly the same... I hope it works for you, but didnt for me. lol

it WAS only when i was coasting....then i heard the bang, and now it's whenever the car's moving...neutral..in gear...whatever...if i drove it for another 1/2 mile i have a feeling i'd hear the bigger bang and she'd lock up on me....definetely NOT a clutch/tranny problem. if i'm going real slow i can hear/feel where i think the tooth broke off the ring and...yea...it's in the diff.

but is there a way to crack open the diff and replace just the ring gears for cheap to last me a few months? or is it just as expensive to rebuild it as it is to replace it?

Replacing just the ring gear (if that's indeed what broke, and not the pinion) requires basically the same exactly amount of work as replacing all the innards because you have to re-set your backlash and pre-load after R&R'ing the ring gear/LSD assembly. Either way the diff. has to come out of the car.

Access to a lift. Upgrade it.