Notices
Aerostar Ford Aerostar

CLUNK into reverse

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 09:57 AM
  #1  
aerostargal's Avatar
aerostargal
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Question CLUNK into reverse

Hi All,

My 92 4.0L with 108k has recently started this annoying and worrisome habit. Whenever I shift into Reverse, from any gear, there is a 2 second delay and a loud CLUNK in engagement. This does not happen in any other gears.

What could be going on? I also have low gas mileage, about 14.5 mpg city. I have no warning lights on (the bulbs are ALL good) and had the front suspension rebuilt this summer. Also, no errors showed when when they tried to pull codes.

The tranny was rebuilt at about 75k. I am not sure what to start checking - I mean have my mechanic start checking! Maybe I should start by checking the tranny fluid level?

All input is appreciated.

aerostargal
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 09:17 PM
  #2  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
Hi there, glad you posted this question, my 1991 4.0 has been doing the same thing ever since I got it, I thought it was normal so maybe someone here can enlighten us, Oh by the way it has been doing this for about 20k mls and has not got any worse, I did change the tranny fluid and screen filter about 10k mls ago but it did not make any differance and I did not find any metal flakes or parts in the old tranny fluid.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:09 PM
  #3  
B-Aerostar's Avatar
B-Aerostar
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Lanham,MD
I have a 1995 AWD that does the same thing with very low gas mileage too. I get only 11.5 to 12 mpg. I have 220,000 miles and it runs fine.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:17 PM
  #4  
yendor's Avatar
yendor
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: northern mn
Well mates I have a 93 extended 250k on it,and I have changed trans and it still does it.So I think it is something else,like a sensor some were. Ihave not been able to find any thing that would make it do that.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 02:18 AM
  #5  
SgtJoe's Avatar
SgtJoe
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg Air Force Base
Whatever you do: POST A FIX IF YOU FIND ONE!!! My '96 4.0L has had the same reverse problem, but it has been getting worse. It's been doing it for about 2 years now. (see delayed reverse engagement post). I have tried to troubleshoot it without disassembling it (pull codes, etc). No luck. A valve body runs $600; too pricey for me to take a stab at fixing it.

It's not normal, so if anyone fixes it, please let us all know. Thanks and good luck (really, best of luck!)
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 09:40 AM
  #6  
yendor's Avatar
yendor
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: northern mn
I am in the north cold country so I park mine so I dont have to back up right off the get go.Once mine warms up it isnt as bad as when it is cold.Otherwise some of us should be checking u-joints or see if rearend is tipping.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 07:02 PM
  #7  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
well I know my u-joints are OK and mine is not as bad when it is hot, I am thinking maybe the fluid pump is going bad in the tranny?
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 08:46 PM
  #8  
B-Aerostar's Avatar
B-Aerostar
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Lanham,MD
ok mine is better now. I had to tighten the lower end of my steering column again. It would not go into 1st gear manually until i tighten it and now she doesn't hit as hard going into reverse and she shifts very smooth again.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 09:51 PM
  #9  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
I don't see how the steering column can effect the tranny shifting.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 09:10 AM
  #10  
yendor's Avatar
yendor
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: northern mn
Question

cbr900
If it was fluid pump would it not be the same in forward or reverese?
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 07:40 AM
  #11  
rob1994AerostarAWD's Avatar
rob1994AerostarAWD
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Canada
My 4.0 litre 1994 Aerostar with electronic 4 wheel drive with 160,000km has the clunk when going into reverse, but it isn't that bad yet. I sure hope somebody can say how to fix it. I am watching this thread closely. I know there is some "play" in my front and real differentials and maybe in the transfer case too. When I changed the fluid in my rear differential and I had the cover off I noticed it then, and somebody said a little play was normal. I could move the wheel slightly without the drive shaft moving. I noticed some "play" in my front differential just recently when I had it off. I just assumed the whole thing was a combination of multiple points of wear. When you engage a reverse rotation to normal it takes up the slack. I certainly am not excited about that idea, as I don't want to replace everything.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 09:32 AM
  #12  
Muffinman's Avatar
Muffinman
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Originally Posted by B-Aerostar
I have a 1995 AWD that does the same thing with very low gas mileage too. I get only 11.5 to 12 mpg. I have 220,000 miles and it runs fine.
O2 senser is bad.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 09:34 AM
  #13  
Muffinman's Avatar
Muffinman
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Check your motor mounts. Aerostars are known for mounts going bad and showing no sign of being bad.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 03:45 PM
  #14  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
well I renewed the tranny mount and that made no difference, the last time I looked the engine mounts were ok, but they are hard to see. As for the fluid pump, yes you may be right there yendor.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 04:21 PM
  #15  
Muffinman's Avatar
Muffinman
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Originally Posted by cbr900
well I renewed the tranny mount and that made no difference, the last time I looked the engine mounts were ok, but they are hard to see. As for the fluid pump, yes you may be right there yendor.
Don't go by looks, They can look brnad new and still lift on one side or the other. Just enough to make that sound.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:33 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE