Causes of a "clunk" in the drivetrain?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 16, 2009 | 06:35 PM

Ironxcross

Thread Starter

TECH Addict

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 1

Causes of a "clunk" in the drivetrain?

I have a clunk noise that's fairly persistent. It happens during shifts, take offs, etc, basically any time you're engaging the rest of the drivetrain. I'm going to replace the U-joints tomorrow, but if thats not it, what could it be?

Apr 16, 2009 | 06:41 PM

bobbyd

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (10)

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,448

Likes: 0

From: San Antonio

trans mount maybe?

Apr 16, 2009 | 06:57 PM

Ironxcross

Thread Starter

TECH Addict

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 1

Thats possible. Someone I talked to before said it could be the rear because it feels like theres some "slack" or looseness there, which is causing the clunk noise.

Apr 16, 2009 | 06:58 PM

1BAD_LS1

Restricted User

iTrader: (36)

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Alliance Nebraska

bad U-joints.... start with the cheap stuff.

Apr 16, 2009 | 07:01 PM

Ironxcross

Thread Starter

TECH Addict

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAD_LS1

bad U-joints.... start with the cheap stuff.

I'm replacing them tomorrow, if thats not it, then it takes one thing out of the equation.

Apr 16, 2009 | 07:02 PM

dub.ya.es.SICK

TECH Regular

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 419

Likes: 0

check your torque arm mount, or lcas maybe....i had similar situation, snapped a bolt on the torque arm lol, one bolt would cause shitty launch times and noise / slack in drivetrain

Apr 16, 2009 | 07:10 PM

Ironxcross

Thread Starter

TECH Addict

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by dub.ya.es.SICK

check your torque arm mount, or lcas maybe....i had similar situation, snapped a bolt on the torque arm lol, one bolt would cause shitty launch times and noise / slack in drivetrain

Hmm... I didn't think of that. I'll take a look when I'm under there.

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Verdad Gallardo

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Pouria Savadkouei

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Pouria Savadkouei

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Verdad Gallardo

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Verdad Gallardo

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Verdad Gallardo

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Verdad Gallardo

Apr 16, 2009 | 07:14 PM

Ironxcross

Thread Starter

TECH Addict

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss1129

I second the torque arm check. Seen it happen a time or two. Also check the TA bolts at the rear.

What like put a torque wrench on it them or what?

Apr 16, 2009 | 08:35 PM

#10

Blue01T/A

Teching In

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: Florissant, MO

My car has a clunk when it downshifts to 1st at low throttle. Like when you slow down to stop at a light and it changes to green. You give it gas, it downshifts, and CLUNK! Seems to only happen going into first though. Any suggestions for that?

Apr 16, 2009 | 10:42 PM

#11

imlooking

On The Tree

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 123

Likes: 0

From: Houston/288

damn, this cluck is tearing people's minds up, HAHA !!!!

i also got this clunk as well. if it WAS the rear end, wouldn't you 1) be able to hear it at all speeds and 2) the car would run like garbage !?!?

just curious. i'm thinking control arm also, but i just haven't had time to check.

Apr 16, 2009 | 10:49 PM

#12

bballr4567

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (5)

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 1,199

Likes: 0

From: Evansville, IN

Check the trans mount especially if it clunks on shifts. I need to check mine as Im starting to get a clunk whenever I get on it and shift at anything higher than 3k RPMs.

Apr 16, 2009 | 11:50 PM

#13

Blue01T/A

Teching In

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: Florissant, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by bballr4567

Check the trans mount especially if it clunks on shifts.

I thought that too but this seems to be coming from the back and it only does it when downshifting from 2nd to 1st. It is very odd. I will get under it tomorrow and check it out. Thanks for the pointer.

Apr 17, 2009 | 12:22 AM

#14

99huggerorangeZ

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,112

Likes: 1

From: rosemount,mn/windsor locks,ct

this also happens to me every once in a great while but i figured it cant be anything major so i really havent looked into it. let me know what you guys find?

Apr 17, 2009 | 10:13 AM

#15

ArkBird96

TECH Regular

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 420

Likes: 0

From: Ricerville

I have this same issue. Going over some bumps or part throttle downshifts, CLUNK!

It also sounds like mine is coming from the rear, like the torque arm mount back there or LCA. The clunk on shifting might be the transmission mount. Let me know what you find!