rear end clunck??

[LEOMAC23]

Hey i just bought my 97 firebird about a month ago,it only has 65000mi on it but ever since i got it there is a weird clunk when it swithches gears,it doesnt do it all the time but it seems to be getting worse,it happens more often when i let off the gas right before its about to shift or when coming up the hill by my house,it also does it if i let off the gas to say coast through a stop sign and then when i reapply the gas it cluncks,it sounds like its comin from the back,but might just be the sound transferring,any help on this would be great!!!

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: rear end clunck??

could be the tranny mount's busted causing the trans to hit the tunnel.

[nascar24jd]

Re: rear end clunck??

I vote transmission mount or universal joint.

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: rear end clunck??

U- Joint wouldn't really make what i'd call a "clunk" but, it's def. a possibility.... depends on interpretaion of description without hearing it myself lol

[Skinny]

Re: rear end clunck??

My first guess would be universal joint.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: rear end clunck??

it really sounds like its coming from the back,my mechanic thinks it might be to much free play in the differential,or a universal,how do i check the tranny mounts, is there trouble signs to look for??

[pace2006]

Re: rear end clunck??

Mine does this time to time also. Not as much as yours, but primarily if I let off the gas before it shifts at low speeds. Typically I know when it will do this on the usual routes and can avoid it by braking or speeding up beforehand, forcing it to stay in that gear or shift up, rather than letting it shift while coasting (which usually induces the "clunk").

I had someone quickly look at it and he said the trans mount looked fine. But I'm also hearing some play somewhere in that area of the drivetrain, so I'll probably stop it by a friend at the transmission shop for a proper inspection in a couple weeks.

Let me know if you figure out what it is. I'd like to fix this annoyance.

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: rear end clunck??

you can't really visually inspect the trans mount without pulling it off unless its completely broken into two pieces....

[Skinny]

Re: rear end clunck??

you can't really visually inspect the trans mount without pulling it off unless its completely broken into two pieces....

You can easily and accurately inspect the tranny mount by using a prybar to lift upwards on the transmission. If the mount is weak or broken, you will see the excessive movement.

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: rear end clunck??

You can easily and accurately inspect the tranny mount by using a prybar to lift upwards on the transmission. If the mount is weak or broken, you will see the excessive movement.

That's a bit more than a visual inspection if you ask me.

[Skinny]

Re: rear end clunck??

That's a bit more than a visual inspection if you ask me.

This is true, but you still don't have to remove the mount ;)

[LEOMAC23]

Re: rear end clunck??

I probably wont have the cash to have it look at soon but if you find out what it is let me know please

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: rear end clunck??

I probably wont have the cash to have it look at soon but if you find out what it is let me know please

We're not going to be able to tell, we pretty much just narrowed it down to two possibilities.

Beyond that, without seeing it, its all you...

[LEOMAC23]

Re: rear end clunck??

sorry bout that i was refering to pace2006 cause he seems to have the same problem,thanks for all the help!!!

[vanbibber]

Re: rear end clunck??

sounds like a U joint to me.