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Tranny goes CLUNK in the night

3 posts 3 contributors 1,491 views
SR

Steve ReillyOP

Jan 3, 2005 at 11:42 AM
I have a 1994 f-150 with the 5.0 and auto tranny, 4X4. Every time I shift from drive to reverse, it makes a loud clunk and shakes the whole truck. If I let the tranny sit in nuetral for a seconds before shifting into reverse it is fine. WHAT COULD BE WRONG?????????????



EL

E. Long

Jan 3, 2005 at 9:59 PM
Quote:
I have a 1994 f-150 with the 5.0 and auto tranny, 4X4. Every time I shift from drive to reverse, it makes a loud clunk and shakes the whole truck. If I let the tranny sit in nuetral for a seconds before shifting into reverse it is fine. WHAT COULD BE WRONG?????????????





Sounds like a classic u-joint problem. Park the truck on a level surface, put blocks in the front and rear of one of the tires (so it doesn't move), put the transmission in neutral and crawl underneath. Using both hands, try twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling on the rear driveshaft. If there is any play, then you've got a bad ujoint.

The reason why it makes the clunk in the drive-to-reverse shifting is because you're completing reversing the torque being applied through the driveshaft. With the play that the bad ujoint has, you're hearing a clunking sound. Going from neutral to reverse (or neutral to drive) you don't hear this sound because there's no resistance against the driveshaft before you switch it into gear.

You may notice a vibration on acceleration or at various speeds with the bad ujoint, too.

A parts store will have a replacement for you. It's a pretty easy swap. Typically a retainer clip (removed with needle nose pliers) and a pair of u-bolts. When you re-tighten the u-bolts, make sure not to over-tighten them...in other words, don't pinch your cheeks while tightening.
-Eric

'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going
DR

dan r

  • Member since Dec 2004
  • 5 posts
  • monroe, WA, USA
Apr 4, 2005 at 3:14 AM
your not going from drive right into reverse with out stoping are you
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