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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Clunking when shifting

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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #1  
Redneckfordf2502002's Avatar
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Clunking when shifting

Hi guys,
We have a 1986 Ford F150 4x4 302 automatic transmission. About a year or so ago we replaced the Universal Joints in both the front and rear drive shafts. Well since we bought the truck about 3 years ago it made a clunking noise and hard shift. Well after we replaced the Universal Joints and the hard shifting stopped. Well still the truck still makes a harsh clunking noise. Me and my dad believe it is coming from the rear end and it is only when the transmission sounds like it shifts to the next gear but downshiffting I don't hear it as bad it is there just not as loud. When driving it isn't there until it shifts. What could it be?
Thanks Guys,
Trav
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 03:41 PM
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81ChopTop
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From what you describe and say you think it's coming from the rear, sounds like it's getting some excessive play in it. You can jack up the rear, put it in neutral, grab the driveshaft, turn it back and forth to feel how much play is in it. It could be that the gears are worn or a bad pinion bearing (though they usually howl when going out). Hard to tell until you get into it.
Do you also hear it when going from coasting to accelerating?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 03:56 PM
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when you are driving and press on the accelarator it makes a whinning noise then it will go away in a couple of seconds. when coasting to accelerating no but when you drive yes.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 03:57 PM
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by the way it use to jerk back like when it shifted until we replaced the universal joints.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 07:26 PM
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I think I would drop the rear of the rear drive shaft and see if you can feel any play in the pinion bearings. May want to have the rear in the air for doing that.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 07:35 PM
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Ok when I get the chance I will try that. Grrr blue Jay why act up right now. I think it is getting worse to and I won't be able to replace it right away as it is getting cold out and I have no garage.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 07:31 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002
Ok when I get the chance I will try that. Grrr blue Jay why act up right now. I think it is getting worse to and I won't be able to replace it right away as it is getting cold out and I have no garage.
Trav
AAAH gome on redneck u'r in AZ. it dont get cold there!!

2 weeks ago fer the deer hunt



LOL!!
dose it have a limited slip diff? this could be the prob, is fluid up in the rear end?, and is it the right fluid for that rear?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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Yes it is the right fluid and it does have fluid about 6-8 months ago we changed the rear end fluid thinking that was it and hopping too.
Redneckrex I am in the mountains of Arizona so we do get snow too. Just a few days ago had about 1ft maybe 1 1/2 ft. I am not sure if it has limited slip in it or not.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 01:21 PM
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i was just raggin on ya some!
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 01:34 PM
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Our axle code is H9 for our truck and it is an 86 F150 4x4 so I am not sure.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 02:02 PM
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ok so I did find out my axle code: 3.55 Limited slip.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 06:43 PM
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Hmmm, it is a two piece driveshaft. Slip spline wear will do that. Lift *** end of truck, grab shaft above slip joint, and below slip joint. ANY wiggle motement, (rotation) will Clunk.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 07:25 PM
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It is a single drive shaft. I am talking about I replaced the 4x4 driveshaft and the main drive shaft. I am thinking it is the pinion shaft as the truck has been ran rough all its life and I don't know what the Previous owners did with the truck other pulled a cab over camper and I know it was an off roading truck.
Trav
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002
It is a single drive shaft. I am talking about I replaced the 4x4 driveshaft and the main drive shaft. I am thinking it is the pinion shaft as the truck has been ran rough all its life and I don't know what the Previous owners did with the truck other pulled a cab over camper and I know it was an off roading truck.
Trav
A single drive-shaft? They're usually two-piece joined by a slip joint I thought.

The 4x4 drive-shaft being the axle drive-shaft in the TTB?

The main drive shaft being the rear drive shaft, right?

Sorry about the questions, but your terminology has me kinda confused.

You got a rear and front drive shaft, then an axle drive shaft in the front suspension.

So, it only happens when you put the truck under load and it shifts (transmission), not just under load going from coasting (no load) to accelerating with a load (differential). It whines when giving it gas too?

Did you service your transmission? Put the right fluids in it with the appropriate amounts?

Is it an AOD transmission? If so, check the TV cable/rod adjustment.

I'm betting those two things will solve your problems.

If not, check kickdown linkage adjustment, and if it has a modulator valve (I think that's the right name, can't remember as it's late at night), check that and the vacuum line for it as well.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:55 PM
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Originally Posted by 1983F1503004x4
A single drive-shaft? They're usually two-piece joined by a slip joint I thought.

The 4x4 drive-shaft being the axle drive-shaft in the TTB?
no the 4x4 drive shaft I am talking about is the shaft that goes from the transfer case to the front end.

The main drive shaft being the rear drive shaft, right?
Yes the main I mean the rear drive shaft.


Sorry about the questions, but your terminology has me kinda confused.

You got a rear and front drive shaft, then an axle drive shaft in the front suspension.

So, it only happens when you put the truck under load and it shifts (transmission), not just under load going from coasting (no load) to accelerating with a load (differential). It whines when giving it gas too?

no not always under load does it do it and only sometimes does it do it according to my dad. And Yes it does make the clunk when coasting to accelerating. Yes but that is under the hood and I have heard that in every 80-96 302, 351, and 460 I have driven.

Did you service your transmission? Put the right fluids in it with the appropriate amounts?

Yes I do put in the right amount of fluids and the truck isn't due yet for a service on on it it is still pretty good and plus the truck only has 134000 miles and I think it was changed before we bought it.

Is it an AOD transmission? If so, check the TV cable/rod adjustment.
I am not sure if it is the AOD but it does have overdrive. I would have to check the transmission code. I will check that but how do I do that I am only a novice mechanic and so is my dad.
I'm betting those two things will solve your problems.

If not, check kickdown linkage adjustment, and if it has a modulator valve (I think that's the right name, can't remember as it's late at night), check that and the vacuum line for it as well.
I know there is 1 or 2 broken vacum lines on the truck but I broke them after the problem started. Again this has been happening since we bought it we thought it would be only the U joints.



My answers are in your qoute in red also no problem on the questions me and my dad just want this problem solved I am tired of the clunk when driving it. By the way I think it is only over 35 as when in town I never here it happen.
Trav
 
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