All,

Lately Ive been hearing a "different clunk" (not the clunk thats Herb's Washers fixes). Its when I put the vehicle in reverse / drive while the brake is depressed (of course). The tranny engages the gear very "heavy" and when I lift my foot off the brake, its makes a louder clunk sound. The L is a 2002 with only 14,200 miles on it. Tranny is bone stock. Any thoughts on what may be causing this? Its so bad that I get looks in the parking lot when putting it into R or D. The truck seems to shift and drive perfectly, I'm just really annoyed with this sound.

Any help in diagnosing this is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

What idle RPMs are you showing when in Neutral/Park and when in Drive? Maybe too high???

Dan

 

do u hear the clunck at all when braking? Maybe, your calipers are loose or something, or you might have a broken gear or something. Just a guess.

 

Lightningrod and Dman, thanks for the suggestions.

My idle is ok, usually around 700 rpm. With the colder weather, it sometime starts out around 1100 rpm, but i give it a minute and a slight blip of the throttle, and it settles down to 700-800 rpm. Ive checked the brakes and calipers as well, they are good to go. The sound seems to be coming directly underneath me (where the brake pedal is / under that floorboard).

 

Well i dont think its normal ill tell u that much, take it in to the dealer, ur still under warranty right?

 

My money is on your lower ball joints. I had the EXACT same problem. I got a needle fitting for my grease gun and lubed the lowers. The problem's gone.

-Edward

 

Yep, still under warranty, but I like taking care of stuff I can take care of (due to bumps / scratches / dents that sometime come along with a visit to the dealer). Ed, I will try lubing the lowers - I appreciate you suggesting that.

 

It might be the upper ball joint, it is in my situation.

 

I hate to say this, and I don't think that this is what it is, but when someone told me there was a real loud "clunk" when going into gear on my '93 Toyota T-100, I found my rear leaf spring U-bolts loose... A few weeks later, while dumping the clutch at 5k rpm I ripped the spring perches right off the axle and the pumpkin was pointing straight up!
Since the L has sooo much more torque, it just scares me alittle to hear that your 'clunk' is so loud...
Yep, I know I can't compare the rear of our trucks to the Toyo... It's just the story sounds familiar...
I'm sure you'll find out what's up right away and all is well!

 

I would also check the u-joints on the driveshaft. Put the truck on flat ground and put trans in neutral, climb underneath and move the driveshaft up and down. Also, check the rear tailshaft mounting bolts on the transmission. I had a 91 f-150 (not lightning) and the bolts came loose on the tailshaft. (was under warranty and the dealership couldn't find it, I found it when I got off my lazy behind and climbed underneath!)
Bryan