Clunking noise when shifting from park to drive

[Tony]

So I own a 03 chevy cavalier with the 2.2 ecotec, 195k miles, and for about a month now when I shift from park to drive (automatic transmission) I can her a bunch of clunking sounds, sounding like gears locking in place or something, same thing happens when I’m at a dead stop, and accelerate, if I hardcore baby it, like, not going over 2k rpms, it doesn’t do it, just when I put more gas behind it, and it doesn’t always do it either. I thought it was my transmission, but the sound is coming from the front passenger area, and my transmission lies more towards the driver side, I’m not ruling the transmission out, but does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Topic

[asetoftools]

You checked the transmission fluid right? Sorry if its obvious. I always check it when its running and after shifting through all the gears.

[Tony]

Well unfortunately, my engine doesn’t have a transmission dipstick, not quite sure how to check it otherwise.. Pretty sure the transmission will be the downfall of the car as I’m fairly certain the transmission fluid has never been changed, as it was stated to be burnt when I took it to a dealer at 150k miles, so I figured if I flushed it I would be facing slipping problems, so either way, I would have had a transmission problem, was just wondering if there would be other options that would be easier to look into rather than doing transmission work.

[asetoftools]

I dropped the transmission pan on mine a few years ago. I did not flush the transmission on advice of etcg, as he said flushes brick old transmissions. I dropped the pan (which was dead simple on my car and took only a morning, check for clearance of pan before you attempt!) and refilled it only till it measured ok on the dipstick. I know etcg said some manual transmissions do not have dipsticks, so you have to fill through the drain plug. But I think they should have one of the two. Ever since my transmission has had a lot less clunking, and as a bonus, no longer leaks.

I have seen the dipsticks hide pretty far deep in some cars though. Make sure you check a haynes manual or similar. Not sure how common it is to not have a dip stick. I have never owned a car with no dipstick on the transmission.

EDIT: you are right:
http://autoforum.classifieds1000.com/Chevrolet-Cavalier/Transmission_dipstick_for_Chevy_Cavalier

apparently it is “by design” so that people cant misfill them accidentally. the mind boggles.

[Its me]

Check your cv joint. Could be going bad..

Karl

[Tony]

How would I go about doing that? I’m newish to the DIY world..

[Bryan]

Does it pop when turning or feel like its binding? “A clunk when shifting from park to drive….” you sure that clunk is from the front end? Almost sounds like a ujoint. As far as the grinding goes, id jack up the front and spin the wheel and listen, shake it with hands on 9 and 3 and 12 and 6 and listen for knocks or watch for movement. ..turn the wheels and try to recreate it. Id also check out the ujoints.

[Bryan]

…may be two seperate problems…

[Bill]

I believe there is a torque strut at the lower right front (passenger side) of the engine that absorbs the movement of the engine. It’s possible that the rubber bushings have deteriorated and is contacting the metal part of the strut when shifting gears.

This would cause the noise you describe.

[Tony]

I replaced the strut about a year ago, and when I did replace, the previous one was shot making the transmission bump into my drive belt pullies, and this is a different sound, I’m positive its the front end, almost positive its the passenger side, a cv joint sounds very logical, as putting it into drive / accelerating from a dead stop would put stress on it, I just don’t know how to check cv joints, and I’m pretty sure my ujoints are fine.

There is no popping sound when turning, though when I do make sharp turns, my rps drop like 500 for a split second, then regulates, also, I hear an I guess a squealing sound?

I’m going to try everything mentioned just to be reassured.

Thanks.

[Tony]

Here is the video of my strut, or engine mount, whatever it’s technically called. Also please notice the sound before start up, the screech a second after, and the noise when I turn it off. I think the screech may be my starter, but I have no idea. My Ujoint is fine I believe, it had VERY little play when I shook the tires.

[george gonzalez]

Raise the hood and have someone with their foot on the brake shift it from park to reverse and then to drive while yo watch and listen to the engine. Try to figure out where the noises coming from. Watch the engine. It should rock a little bit when going into gear, maybe 1/2 inch or so. If it rocks a lot more or you can hear definite clunking sounds coming from the engine mounts, you have bad mounts or engine braces.

These noise can also be caused by bad CV joints, although these usually click and thunk on sharp turns too.

[Tony]

[quote=”grg8888″ post=79236]Raise the hood and have someone with their foot on the brake shift it from park to reverse and then to drive while yo watch and listen to the engine. Try to figure out where the noises coming from. Watch the engine. It should rock a little bit when going into gear, maybe 1/2 inch or so. If it rocks a lot more or you can hear definite clunking sounds coming from the engine mounts, you have bad mounts or engine braces.

These noise can also be caused by bad CV joints, although these usually click and thunk on sharp turns too.[/quote]

I’m trying to get the video posted, but on the CV joint part, the only other noise I get is when I am turning the wheel, but its not a click or a thump, it’s more of a vibration.

[Tony]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Pi4J4Moe0&feature=youtu.be[/video]

[Bryan]

Wouldnt no popping when turning rule out a cv joint? I dont have the experience to say wether it would or not. Would that leave the axle? Many here more experienced than me could answer thise questions. The popping when shifting from park to drive while stationary just screams to me ujoint at the transmission. If rotary parts arent moving and theres a pop and mount bushings are newer than id wonder that could be right along with you. I did just have this same clunking and it was a ujoint so that may just be on my brain…..a grind while driving but nothing when steering would tell me to lift and spin. Does it go awatywhen braking?

[Bryan]

So there is movement in the ujoint at the tranny? I was amazed at how just a little play kept me from driving with a full cup of coffe if I hit 50mph. Have you tried giving it more gas when the vibrations start? Does it disapear as speed increases?

[Author]

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