Bad Clunk

[nunesjeff]

Well it has been doing this for awhile... Very Bad Clunk going from Reverse to Drive or Downshifting down steep hills... Now what's Broke!!!

[J Wikoff]

My first thoughts are the front tranny mount or the rear dogbone. Stand in front of the car with the hood up and rock the car back and forth, watching the mount down on the driver front side (below the tranny vacuum modulator). Look to see if the rubber seperates from the metal as the car moves. Then get under the car and look at the dogbone on the passenger side. Give the rubber a look over and check if the rear mount bolt is sliding in the slot.

[nunesjeff]

It happens backing up kinda quick then stopping doing into drive and is a kinda sharp sound from the drivers side... I had my gpa kinda power brake the motor and the mounts and dogbone look all intact!!!

[willwren]

Get under the car and inspect the two driver's side mounts more closely, particularly the rear. If it's not rubber-on-steel, that could be the issue. The rear mount doesn't have much travel, but can clunk when it wears out.



This is the mount you're looking for for the clunk noise. If that's not it, you're looking at something internal to the trans itself, and need to take it to a trans shop for diagnosis. If that mount is original, it's a prime suspect, and I hope that you find it to be your problem from a financial standpoint.

[J Wikoff]

How much would you say the top of the engine moved? Did you try forward and reverse?

[nunesjeff]

Well checked the mounts seems to be okay... A buddy of mine said there's a chain inside the tranny and it sounds like the slop in the chain smacking the pan or something like that... My Grampa flat out thinks its a TC or flywheel problem... I don't know how much the motor is to move either, but it rocks a bit but I don't think it is too much... Hoping I can get over to (Cornvalley) maybe Bill will have a few mins to look it over...

[swiles]

im havint the same problem let me know what the out come is

[00Beast]

I don't think it's a TC or flywheel problem. They spin the same direction no matter what gear you're in. Definitely sounds like a mount to me.

[swiles]

WELL I HAVE CHANGED ALL MY MOUNTS AND ROTORS SLIDE PINS ball joints control arm bushings
and i am still hearing it when i take off

[myfirstbonnie]

Try lubricating the strut mounts by putting a little oil in the top.

[willwren]

And please also check the swaybar endlink bushings. They can make a clunk/pop noise in that situation also.

[swiles]

end links are good and the oil didnt work

[l67se]

Just repaired a similar problem on a 97 Bonne. Check the rear subframe mounts, especially the forward most rear one. You may find that they have rusted out and are allowing the subframe to shift.

[willwren]

Something to check, but not for rust. We don't have rust in Oregon. We don't use salt on the roads, but chemical de-icer and sand instead. On the flip side, if Jeff's car came from a salt state, it might be an issue.

[nunesjeff]

It is unknown as far as I know it was in the Portland area never was able to get a Car History I have been just babying it and not driving hard and hasn't clunked in a while but will clunk on comand... Going on a nice trip again tomarrow like 600 miles so hope all is well... I still haven't gotten into the tank yet

[swiles]

Just repaired a similar problem on a 97 Bonne. Check the rear subframe mounts, especially the forward most rear one. You may find that they have rusted out and are allowing the subframe to shift.

that was one thing i thought of but didnt think anything of it thank you i will check it and get back to you

[nunesjeff]

So I just replaced the trans mount and well it still clunks but not as bad... It almost seams that the exhaust pipe flange off the manifold might be popping with the rock of the motor...

[RJolly87]

You might want to check that out then. Reviewing the issue, I was thinking CV joint getting worn out, mine makes a bit of noise like what you described going from reverse to drive.