loud clank when putting in gear

Frequen.C · 02-04-2006, 09:28 PM

Every time I put my truck in gear on the slightest hill I here a loud clank. Is this a rear diff problem? Its not just a click, its loud and you can feel it.

RxZ · 02-04-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequen.C

Every time I put my truck in gear on the slightest hill I here a loud clank. Is this a rear diff problem? Its not just a click, its loud and you can feel it.

My driveway is on a hill, and everytime I pull the truck out of park and into reverse it used to do the exact same thing. My last car also did this every single time (2000 Dodge Intrepid). The old car was still running strong after 120,000 miles.

Try doing this to get it to stop (it worked for me at least). When you pull into your driveway at the end of the day, put the truck in neutral while holding the brakes. When in neutral, apply the parking brake and let go of the brake pedal. After the parking brake stops the truck (it will roll an inch or so), put the transmission in park. The next morning do the reverse... while the parking brake is still on put the truck in reverse, then release the parking brake and drive away. The only sound I have now is the anti-lock brake test at 10 mph.

Frequen.C · 02-04-2006, 10:41 PM

are you saying this is normal? When I am putting my boat in the water and on the ramp it is REALLY bad, sounds like something is going to break. Its bad enough without a trailer attached. Almost hard to even put it in gear on a incline with a trailer.

**helomech** · 02-04-2006, 10:43 PM

This is completely normal every automatic transmision I have ever had did this. Use your parking brake if you are concerned.

mtofell · 02-04-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Try doing this to get it to stop (it worked for me at least). When you pull into your driveway at the end of the day, put the truck in neutral while holding the brakes. When in neutral, apply the parking brake and let go of the brake pedal. After the parking brake stops the truck (it will roll an inch or so), put the transmission in park. The next morning do the reverse... while the parking brake is still on put the truck in reverse, then release the parking brake and drive away. The only sound I have now is the anti-lock brake test at 10 mph.

Definately agree.... this is a good idea with any car with an AT when parking on a hill.... or at least it sounds a lot less bad when you take it out of Park. It's kind of like taking the strain off your steering wheel lock before turning the key.

FLfinfan · 02-05-2006, 07:52 AM

Mine does it on flat land, sometimes. It's like there is slop in the drivetrain. But it definatley does not happen any other time than when stopped and shifting between park and reverse, reverse and drive, or drive and reverse.

K-MU · 02-05-2006, 09:25 PM

My truck does it too when i park it on a hill

phlydude · 02-06-2006, 02:32 PM

as for the tip with the parking brake...make sure that you are covering your brake pedal while letting it roll a little. If that parking brake isn't set properly, you could roll away down the hill.

rcantu · 02-06-2006, 03:15 PM

mine does it on flat areas. I know what you mean when you think things will break.

Titano24's · 02-06-2006, 03:21 PM

if i pull the truck up against the parking dividers and put it in park before i let the truck relax off, when i get back in and go to put in reverse it does the same thing...scare's the crap outt a me every now and then

RxZ · 02-06-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlydude

as for the tip with the parking brake...make sure that you are covering your brake pedal while letting it roll a little. If that parking brake isn't set properly, you could roll away down the hill.

+1 Every now and then I won't push the parking brake pedal all the way in, and when I let off the brake I start rolling. I get a little confused for a sec, then try again. Most of the time I don't even bother with my trick posted above. As I said, my old car did this for years, and I never had a problem with its transmission.

Alternativaly, just make sure the parking brake is set as wstrong as it will go before shifting from drive to park, and in the morning shift into reverse before letting off the parking brake. Basically the same as above, just fewer steps for the same results. Either way I do not think it will hurt the truck (clunk or no clunk) but the manual may have more to say on the issue.