<VV> What Broke?

[Nigel Hoyow]

Last night I was driving and suddenly a loud clack clack clack sound started
apparently coming from the drivetrain area. The clack gets faster as I
accelerate.
The engine is fine and the half shafts and stuff are okay.  When I clutch in
the noise disappears and the engine revs freely with no apparent problem,
but as soon as I put it back in gear it clacks from 1 through 4. I put some
oil in the box this morning (it took a quart) just in case but although it
subdued the noise slightly, the clack clack clack is still there.
I feel a metallic grounding rhythmic vibration just the moment when
releasing the clutch and moving off - then the clack clack starts when I get
going.
What do you think has gone wrong? Can you give me the bad news?  a gear
broke? gear teeth? Diff broke? clutch disc?
The van drives fine except for the loud clacking sound. I parked it today
just in case I break something else.
Thanks for the help.
Nigel - VW van 140/4 3.27 drivetrain.

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