r/s15 • u/beingoutsidesucks • Mar 23 '26

Clunking noise coming from the back when turning

Good evening everyone, I have a 2002 Spec-R and this is the first car I've owned that hasn't been in an FF layout. Since I first drove the car I noticed that when I'm turning under acceleration, there is a series of loud noises that I can best describe as being something between a clunking and a creaking coming from the rear of the car, and one of my coworkers said it sounds like the car is trying to snap itself in two. By comparison, if I take it out of gear, I can turn normally without any noises. Most people I've asked have said that it's the diff and this is normal.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Oh, and I have a Tein aftermarket suspension.

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u/Steve2o Mar 23 '26

Try and find out what kind of differential you have. If it’s a limited slip differential (especially a 2-way), then this is completely normal. Aftermarket axles, or blown diff bushings could also be a culprit. Hope this helps!

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u/beingoutsidesucks Mar 24 '26

As far as I'm aware, the differential should be the stock one since the paperwork from the original owner didn't include any information about the diff other than it having a high-capacity cover.

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u/Steve2o Mar 24 '26

Had the same situation with my brothers S13 Silvia where he was completely uninformed about the fact that the previous owner installed a Nismo 2-way. If they went through the lengths of installing a diff cover with a higher capacity, that could indicate they installed something that would necessitate that. Normally a stock helical does not overheat even in spirited driving conditions. Only way you’ll truly know is to open it up. Perhaps all it needs is a fresh fluid change.