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Thumping when rolling backwards

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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 07:43 PM
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Default Thumping when rolling backwards

1973 L48 with 4 speed.

When I am rolling backwards with the transmission in reverse and the clutch in I hear a thumping sound from the transmission area.

If I have the clutch out (engaged), in reverse going backwards no thump.

If rolling backwards in neutral no thump.

Any advice appreciated.
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 07:55 PM
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stupid question but 4 speed auto or manual? does it only do it when the car is turned on, or have you tried in reverse with car off? triple checked tranny fluid level?
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 08:19 PM
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Its a 4sp manual.
I only noticed the sound with the engine running. I don't remember hearing it when rolling backwards with the engine off.

Tranny fluid was checked, level was ok.
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 09:11 PM
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check the halfshaft u-joints, mine behaved as you described, when i pulled mine it fell apart in my hand.
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by billlee
check the halfshaft u-joints, mine behaved as you described, when i pulled mine it fell apart in my hand.
Best place to start checking.
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by billlee
check the halfshaft u-joints, mine behaved as you described, when i pulled mine it fell apart in my hand.
sounds like that to me....
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by billlee
check the halfshaft u-joints, mine behaved as you described, when i pulled mine it fell apart in my hand.
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 06:25 AM
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Check to make sure you're not missing your cat
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 11:18 AM
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Front differential bushing. Had to replace mine like 10 years ago.
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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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I checked all of the above suggestions, including looking for the cat. Everything checked out ok. I finally opened up the transmission and found a couple of chipped teeth on the reverse idle gear. Of course the guy at the tranny shop said the idler gear for the muncie m20 has been discontinued. But atleast now we know where that sound was coming from. Thanks for the help.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 01:13 AM
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Default Revearse Idler Gear

A quick search on google shows a few that sell them. I didn't check to see if it's still in stock, but it's still listed ($48).

http://www.tbtrans.com/muncie_4_spee...uncie_gearsets

Good thing about the cat
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 01:14 AM
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Get the chunks of teeth out of the tranny case (magnet); then drive easy and slow when in reverse. Sounds like a missed shift into third gear to me....
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by phred2042
I checked all of the above suggestions, including looking for the cat. Everything checked out ok. I finally opened up the transmission and found a couple of chipped teeth on the reverse idle gear. Of course the guy at the tranny shop said the idler gear for the muncie m20 has been discontinued. But atleast now we know where that sound was coming from. Thanks for the help.
Time for a trany overhaul with a shift kit upgrade!

Or maybe that new 5 speed? You been power shifting?


Gotta' like a forced upgrade! " Dear, I have no choice but to change the transmission! Oh well... "

Let us know the outcome.
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