clunking feeling

[tullyinOC]

Sometimes when i take off in 1st i get a bad clunk like a loose u-joint in a truck. It doesn't do it all the time but its sometimes a little and sometimes a little worse. Im pretty sure i need to replace my rear bearings but just worried about my trans.

[Hammarlund]

It could be the front transmission mount; it could also be a rear drum slipping over a spline, especially if the car is lowered.
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[hurley62579]

Had the same problem in my bug. Try jacking up the car in the rear and roll the wheel back and forth. If there is an excessive amount of freeplay in the tranny you may have a problem with your fulcrum plates. I just pulled my axle out last weekend and the fulcrum plates were all torn up. Ruined the axle too. I had a real similar feeling when I would take off from a stop in first.

[drscope]

First what are we dealing with here? Year, engine, that type of thing.


A few things to look at assuming you are posting in the correct forum.

First take off the rear wheels and look closely at the spring plates where they bolt to the axle. Look for any signs of movement like an area at that place where the dirt and grime have been scraped away.

Then make sure those bolts are all TIGHT.

If you see any spots where it looks like things have been moving, or you have a few bolts that weren't tight, you may also want to check your rear wheel alignment because that has probably changed.

The other things to look at are the transmission mounts. When the front mount starts to go, it allows the nose of the transmission to lift up when you pull off. It also allows it to drop when you back up.

Sometimes if you have someone follow you and watch your tail pipes as you shift up through the gears they will see the pipes dropping everytime you get back on the gas.

The rear mounts are a little more difficult to check, but look to make sure they are doing OK. If they look spongy, or nasty, put them on your change list and order all new mounts.

Also check the rubbers in your rear shocks where the mounting bolts go through. It they are all worn out, it allows the shock to clunk around a bit.

Then check your rear bumper to make sure it's tight and not bouncing. And make sure the deck lid is latched.

You may also want to check to make sure there isn't something rolling around behind the back seat too! And while you are at it make sure the battery is secured to the floor.
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