After looking at the bushings I determined the moustache bar bushings were the only real source of the clunk. They allow significant movement of the diff and replacing those alone resolved the clunking issue. At least on my IX, the bushings on either side of the diff seem pretty stout and don't have much room to move so I left them stock as they are very easy to replace in the future if needed.

 

I pretty much assumed those were the source of my noise since they are the only ones, on the whole car, that I didn't replace.

I want to replace the bar anyway. Soon...

 

Yea i did mustache,diff mounts,sway bar,trailing arm energy bushings. The mustache bar wasnt soo bad but then again i did it on a hoist with all the proper tools. I couldnt imagine it on jack stands on my back. Those days are over for me.

But back to this issue. The clunk is violent and only happens when taking off or reversing. On initial clutch release if the car bucks or jerks the clunk is heared. I just dont wana throw parts at it. But i also dont want those clunks to tale a toal on my diff.

 

check you cv axles as well.

 

Yup. Sounds just like mine LOL

 

when I upgraded rear diff bushings clunky clunk clunk clunk.

 

It does get annoying, at times.