clunk when putting car into drive.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: NJ
clunk when putting car into drive.
Hello all...
84 vette with 98,000 miles. Sometimes when I put the car into drive, it will clunk into gear. This happens about 60% of the time. It's not a severe clunk, but I'm concerned enough. However, it never does it when putting car into reverse. Is this possibly the u-joints? How do I check them?
Pete
84 vette with 98,000 miles. Sometimes when I put the car into drive, it will clunk into gear. This happens about 60% of the time. It's not a severe clunk, but I'm concerned enough. However, it never does it when putting car into reverse. Is this possibly the u-joints? How do I check them?
Pete
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: clunk when putting car into drive. (84whitevette)
Yeah...
It could be hub bearings but most likely U-joints. Because of the half-shafts, Corvettes have 4 in the rear end alone plus the ones on the drive shaft. The wear spots can align just right at times to accumulate and make that clunking sound from excessive play in the parts. I know as I have the same prob and have checked it out.
BIG JIM
It could be hub bearings but most likely U-joints. Because of the half-shafts, Corvettes have 4 in the rear end alone plus the ones on the drive shaft. The wear spots can align just right at times to accumulate and make that clunking sound from excessive play in the parts. I know as I have the same prob and have checked it out.
BIG JIM
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Ok
Re: clunk when putting car into drive. (84whitevette)
Sounds like u-joints. The way I check them is I pull the driveline and give the joint the ole wiggle test. Then pull the caps off and give 'em the eyeball. If they bind up during the wiggle test or are dry, relpace them. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: clunk when putting car into drive. (84whitevette)
Mine does the same thing.
But, I don't think its the U-joint because when I put it in drive, and hear the clunk, I always have my foot on the brake pedal.
The u-joint would come into play when I accelerate.
I may be wrong.
But, I don't think its the U-joint because when I put it in drive, and hear the clunk, I always have my foot on the brake pedal.
The u-joint would come into play when I accelerate.
I may be wrong.
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Grayslake IL
Re: clunk when putting car into drive. (84whitevette)
Although you have your foot on the brake, the load is being put on the driveline as soon as you put it in gear, essentially 'taking up the slop', and that would be one instance of when the clunk would show itself.
Bob-
1996 White Coupe
Bob-
1996 White Coupe
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Redlands CA
Something you might check which might be a long shot is the tranmission mount. I had a broken mount and didn't realize it until a mechanic pointed it out to me. I noticed it shifted hard from first to second (automatic trans.) but thought that it was normal.
Good Luck,
Tom
Good Luck,
Tom
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Is it clunking season on here???
Here is another tip. If you are in there, when you pull out the halfshafts. You will probably not be pulling out the splined part that is in the wheel bearing...well geuss what. I replaced all my u-joints. Clunk still there, greased up the wheel spindles...adios clunk.
Its free, I would try it first while you are checking the u-joints, there are a hell of a lot of u-joints there and eventhough I did it myself, it was still ~$120.
You have to take off the 36mm wheel/axle nut thing. And then (if you already pulled the halfshafts) pop, out it comes.
Ohh yeah, first time took me about 4 hours, second time about 1.5. And I am a definite shade tree. (Just have a good torque wrench I think that 36mm needs to be torqued to about 165ft/lbs)
Good luck!
Here is another tip. If you are in there, when you pull out the halfshafts. You will probably not be pulling out the splined part that is in the wheel bearing...well geuss what. I replaced all my u-joints. Clunk still there, greased up the wheel spindles...adios clunk.
Its free, I would try it first while you are checking the u-joints, there are a hell of a lot of u-joints there and eventhough I did it myself, it was still ~$120.
You have to take off the 36mm wheel/axle nut thing. And then (if you already pulled the halfshafts) pop, out it comes.
Ohh yeah, first time took me about 4 hours, second time about 1.5. And I am a definite shade tree. (Just have a good torque wrench I think that 36mm needs to be torqued to about 165ft/lbs)
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 18,226
Likes: 0
From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Ummm....i hate to throw in this possibility...but it could also be the tranny get'n ready to go belly-up. Mine made a similar noise for a couple months before it went south. 
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
Go with the ujoints first. Jack the car and grab the half shaft and give it a good twist.Is it solid or does it have play in it? If you need to replace the ujoints, go with the Spicer. You can buy them at any driveline company for about $12.00 each.
Go with the most common cause at first, and here it sounds like the ujoints.
Keep us posted.
Go with the most common cause at first, and here it sounds like the ujoints.
Keep us posted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by vader86
That sounds like U-joints to me, having your foot on the brake doesnt keep it from clunking into D or R.
