A 'clunk' when put in Reverse
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
A 'clunk' when put in Reverse
Stopped with the foot on the brake, and then shifting into reverse often makes a clunking noise. Could this be the U-Joint? Is there anything else to consider?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Yeah, my 92 Aerostar 3.0 clunks going into reverse. There is some play in diffy and in tranny output. UJs seem tight. Also sometimes get clunk on certain downshifts at freeway speed. Bothersome. Hope not going to be fatal to tranny. Next time in shop, will ask them to check it out
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
My '94 has had a worn out bushing on the rear center control arm-to-differential mount for a long time. It clunks over bumps and other times. When the van is in park on level ground with brake off I can grab the top of one tire & make the same sound by rolling it forward & back hard. I can see the diff move to & fro when it makes the sound. It's still strong just loose.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
My '96 RWD had this symptom 4 years ago. It was the rear center control arm. It is mounted in a humongous rubber bushing, and the bushing was worn. As I recall, it was an OEM only part, but my local guy installed it. 'Still have the original Ujoints, at 177K miles.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Rear center control arm? Is that what the Haynes manual labels as the Upper control arm? They show it coming off one side of the differential (the other side of the diffy has a big round thing hanging off it for no apparent reason). They also show lower control arm out by the wheel.
Mine has had the clunk over certain bumps that sounds like the spare tire hopped in the back (yes spare is inside after cable rusted through). That and the reverse clunk and freeway downshift clunk make me think this center ctrl arm is the culprit. Will check it out. THANKS.
Mine has had the clunk over certain bumps that sounds like the spare tire hopped in the back (yes spare is inside after cable rusted through). That and the reverse clunk and freeway downshift clunk make me think this center ctrl arm is the culprit. Will check it out. THANKS.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
Likes: 208
From: SoCal
Paul,
That big round thing hanging in the front of the diff is a vibration damper. It takes out certain vibratory modes of the rear axle, so the bushings don't have to.
That big round thing hanging in the front of the diff is a vibration damper. It takes out certain vibratory modes of the rear axle, so the bushings don't have to.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Yeah sorta sounds like you got the Aero clunks going on there.!
I noticed today, driving my older '94 'clunker' a few miles, that you should definitely hear it's coming from the back of the van. Although if yours is loaded with stuff, or with seats and people in, it may slightly obscure it, but it deff will sound like its coming from the rear. My '94 has done it for years and I knew it was ok so didn't mess with it.
Now if someone would just come up with a set of poly bushings for the Aero... I'd be one of 1st in line to buy them.
I noticed today, driving my older '94 'clunker' a few miles, that you should definitely hear it's coming from the back of the van. Although if yours is loaded with stuff, or with seats and people in, it may slightly obscure it, but it deff will sound like its coming from the rear. My '94 has done it for years and I knew it was ok so didn't mess with it.
Now if someone would just come up with a set of poly bushings for the Aero... I'd be one of 1st in line to buy them.
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