CLUNK when taking off

[First Stang]

Update: I went ahead and checked the axle nut on the right side. Sure enough, at 150ft lb, it moved another 1/8. I tightened another 1/8 and put a mark to see if it moves. Also, I went ahead and checked the left wheel and had to retorque the lugs to 150 ft.lb. . It could be the cause as well (rotor slapping the lugs). I am happy to report that the noise is gone …for now.

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[pyrophilus]

My Mustang GT Started doing this a few weeks ago. It started to make this clunk (almost like a metallic pop), when car is put into reverse and I initially roll.

Later, it started to happen when I roll forward, and now it does this when I roll forward then backward. Is this something that I need to stop driving ASAP?

I took off the right rear wheel (at least that's where sound seems to originate from), and the axel nut is tight (150 lb-ft), and none of the bushings look worn or cracked. I bear-hugged the wheel and tried to move it but I hear no sound and everything is tight.

Other than the sound, the car drives perfectly fine.

I have a drive down to Washington D.C. (from NYC suburbs) this weekend. Wife and I wanted to take the Mustang, but I would rather not if the thrust washing being broken is going to cause a damage.

This summer, on my way up to Canada, an idiot backed into the DRIVER's side fender when I was rolling through a NYS throughway rest area parkinglot. I had to get the driver's fender and door replaced, but no other structural damages. I know that my mustang was hit on the drivers' side, and the popping sound is from the passenger side rear, but...

That being said, many decades ago, my mom was rear-ended at a red light in my 2 week old 1996 pathfinder. After we got the car back from body shop, it was fine for a week and then it started to clunk at the front, and then the front right strut bearing had ruptured. The service writer did replace it under warranty, and he said that things can fail, but he also said that when you get hit, the OPPOSIDE side of the car can take some forces, which can cause premature failure of hardware...

Anyway, my question is, if this is a failed thrust washer, would it be okay to drive the 520 mi (round-trip)?