General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Causes of a "clunk" in the drivetrain?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 06:35 PM
  #1  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default 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?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 06:41 PM
  #2  
bobbyd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Default

trans mount maybe?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 06:58 PM
  #4  
1BAD_LS1's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
From: Alliance Nebraska
Default

bad U-joints.... start with the cheap stuff.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:01 PM
  #5  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:02 PM
  #6  
dub.ya.es.SICK's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Default

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
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:10 PM
  #7  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:13 PM
  #8  
ss1129's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 116
From: Ft Lupton, CO
Default

I second the torque arm check. Seen it happen a time or two. Also check the TA bolts at the rear.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:14 PM
  #9  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default

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?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 08:35 PM
  #10  
Blue01T/A's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Florissant, MO
Default

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?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 10:42 PM
  #11  
imlooking's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Houston/288
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #12  
bballr4567's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: Evansville, IN
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 11:50 PM
  #13  
Blue01T/A's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Florissant, MO
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #14  
99huggerorangeZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: rosemount,mn/windsor locks,ct
Default

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?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:13 AM
  #15  
ArkBird96's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ricerville
Default

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!
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #16  
xbcrguy182x's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Default

Would a U JOINT be bad even if there is no play in it?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 11:40 AM
  #17  
99Z2ate's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Default

haha, I got the clunk too, but I have a new torque arm, new LCA's, new trans mount, and no U-joint play....WTF!!
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 11:46 AM
  #18  
bballr4567's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: Evansville, IN
Default

99Z you might have some rub going on then or it could be your exhaust hitting something.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 01:39 AM
  #19  
Ironxcross's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by 99Z2ate
haha, I got the clunk too, but I have a new torque arm, new LCA's, new trans mount, and no U-joint play....WTF!!
rear?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 03:32 AM
  #20  
shaolink9's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: DelrayBeach/Tampa,Florida
Default

trans mount or t/a mount is my guess
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:53 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE