Hey, All.

2000 Bonneville SLE, 121K miles, several small problems over the last few years, but otherwise she's a workhorse (and still pretty) so I want to save her.

I live near Pittsburgh and the weather has turned - specifically the overnight temps have gone south on us (32 degrees or less and will dip much farther in Jan. and Feb.). When I have to take my kid to school I warm up the car before we set out.

My problem is that when the weather is this cold, shifting into reverse produces a small "clunk" as the transmission shifts. I can stop the tranny from doing that by SLOWLY shifting from "P" to "R".

But, when I shift into drive - however slowly and teasingly - I get a massive "CLUNK" that makes the whole car shudder. Like I say in my subject line, it's almost as if the transmission wants to jump out of the car and tweet that I've been sexually abusing it.

Funny thing is, the school I drop my son off at is only 1 1/2 miles from home. By the time I get there the transmission seems to be warmed to the point where there no "clunking" when I have to shift (any which way). And on top of that, it will stay that way the rest of the afternoon - even when I go to pick the kid up.

Next morning, "CLUNK!"

I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and say that it has something to do with the ambient temps (I don't have this problem when outside temps are moderate-to-high). And, just so you know, the fluid level is correct, there are no warnings, and I just had the car inspected within the past week.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

E.

I would check engine/transmission mounts. One of the front mounts likes to break as I understand it.

While holding the car in place using brakes with the engine running and car in gear, try giving it some throttle in both drive and reverse. The engine should have a very small amount of movement in both directions. If the engine looks like it's trying to climb out and leave without you, then you have found your culprit.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

By far, the best front mount replacement is this one, which can be bought from Harofreak00
2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic44765.html

here is some more info and a pic of this 'boat roller'..........2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic43589.html

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poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am