Transmission "Clunks"
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
Hey guys, I've got an '85 F-150 with the AOD.. it seems to be in good mechanical condition, the only problem is when I'm driving it any higher than 45 mph, and I let off the gas, it clunks as it shifts into the next gear. Any ideas? Fluid change would help? or tranny problem?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
Also, it does it worse when I'm moving slower.. say I'm going 45 or so and I'm taching about.. I dunno.. low RPMs like 1800-2500.. and I let off the gas completely, it seems like the whole truck shakes when it shifts. It shifts into the next gear I guess for gas mileage reasons, and sits at about 1000-1200 RPM like its "coasting" untiL I give it gas again.. when I give it gas and the RPMs jump back up, no problem.. it doesnt clunk as bad when I'm on the interstate and I let off after passing someone and it shifts.. but it still does.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
If the axle moves about and "wiggles" that would mean the u-join right? I'll check in the morning. Is this easy to fix yourself or should I take it in to a tranny shop -when- I have money? (won't have much for the next two weeks..)
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Joined: May 2002
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Transmission "Clunks"
I have this same problem in my Thunderbird. I think it has more to do with the the way the AOD is designed. In D and OD the the torque converter is bypassed and the transmission is connected directly to the flywheel. Without the torque converter there is nothing to absorb the shock of going from drive to coast. I was always going to take it to a tranmission place to see if there is anything they can do but haven't got around to it yet.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
Yeah.. well.. thing is I have a feeling its a U-joint, if it shudders a tiny bit when I put it from Park to Drive, or Drive to Reverse, etc, etc. The reason I think that is because my girlfriend's Mustang was doing that, and shuddering like mine.. its a '71.. but the shuddering isn't even CLOSE to as bad as her Mustang.. and her driveshaft fell out today while I was in the car.. scary thing.. it was the front U-joint, too.. luckily we were only going 15 or it woulda catapulted us.. omg! That woulda sucked!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
Transmission "Clunks"
James, you just reminded me that a safety loop for the driveshaft would be a good thing to put on. If a u-joint broke, the loop would keep the shaft from hitting the ground. If the rear axle is moving around, be sure the axle u-bolts are tight. Let us know what you find.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Dryden Canada
Transmission "Clunks"
I have a little clunk in my driveline too - but it's a 4speed granny tranny. I'm fairly sure my U-joint(s) is(are) bad since there is a bit of a vibration above 50/55mph. I know what it's like to lose a front U-joint ... lost one in my old 63.5 Falcon a few years back. Lucky for me it held together JUST and BARELY, but it snapped the transmission into front and back halves. Still drove over 30 miles at 1500rpm and shifted fine though! That was what I called Ford tough.
Chris Pollard
Dryden, ON
Don't mind me, I'm crazy.
Cars owned so far ... 63.5 Ford Falcon (sold), 74 Ford Gran Torino Brougham (driver), 84 Ford F-150 (also driver). My next vehicle is gonna half to be a 94 Ford something if I want to keep the pattern!
:-X11
Chris Pollard
Dryden, ON
Don't mind me, I'm crazy.
Cars owned so far ... 63.5 Ford Falcon (sold), 74 Ford Gran Torino Brougham (driver), 84 Ford F-150 (also driver). My next vehicle is gonna half to be a 94 Ford something if I want to keep the pattern!
:-X11
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
Damn Chris, another testament to Ford's great trucks.. lol, anyways the shuddering isn't too bad though and when I get around to it I'll let you guys know, the driveshaft safety loop was a good idea, I'll look into it. Alright guys, later!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Richmond USA
Transmission "Clunks"
Ok in my earlier post I meant driveshaft not axle.. anyways my driveshaft doesn't move around at all its in there tight it seems like, I dunno.. I'm not sure if its the U-joints or not I am just kinda worried about it... any other suggestions lemme know please.
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