94 XLT AT Issues

[ginganinja]

hey all!

first up; this site is awesome; its a credit to you all. Thank you in advance.

I have a reasonably mint condition 94 XLT.
I have searched already but can't seem to find anything that answers my question; and as I have limited knowledge of Ford AT's, I am here
The automatic transmission in my X is pretty good, smooth shifts, not weird noises; except for this noise that concerns me.

If I downshift from Overdrive to Drive (on the road, under power up hills etc; it seems fine when i downshift off the gas when at lower speeds), there is a loud and disconcerting clunk/thump that seems to originate from the transmission.
I also get the same noise when i stop dead still, in drive, and shift into reverse. With the truck still at a stand still, the same clunk is evident, as is a slight 'bump' (almost like the truck hunches down a little).
Its a worry for me, as (although my experience with AT limited) I get the impression these noises shouldn't be there.

Any advice or posts/threads you can point me to would me greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[MrShorty]

First thing I would probably check would be the u-joints in the driveshaft.

 

[ginganinja]

MrShorty - Thanks. Mind explaining to me why you'd start there?

 

[Masterd]

Ill second seized u-joints as a cause.

 

[mechjames]

I usually have this issue too since I bought my truck. Even threw in a rebuilt transmission because I broke the intermediate band and lost second gear. My cluck still remains sometimes.

U-joint seems like it could be the cause. I'm interested in changing mine soon, but haven't found the time.

 

[lifeguard379]

check the trans mount as well. good luck.

 

[MrShorty]

My u-joint recommendation was based in large part on

With the truck still at a stand still, the same clunk is evident,

With the truck still at a stand still, the same clunk is evident,[/quote] A bad u-joint can have enough slop in it that the act of shifting causes the u-joint spider to shift within the bearing caps, and you get a clunk. It also usually doesn't take very long to check u-joints.

Engine/transmission mounts also seem like something good to check.

 

[ginganinja]

Shorty - Thanks. I have done a bit of research and had come to that conclusion but is good to have that reaffirmed.

Is there a write up/how to someone has written up on the easiest way to check the U-Joints?

Thanks

 

[shaggymane]

Don't know if there is an *easy way*. You just get under there and try to move that driveshaft every which possible, namely torqueing it or twisting it. If you don't know what a Universal joint looks like do online parts shopping at AZ or some such place. They ought to show a pic. The u-joints are at the ends of the drive shaft.
My guess would be the rear one went bad. Unless it's already been repalce and the front one is now the noisy one. When they are really bad it's kinda self evident, like the cap is worn completely through, lots of slop when you twist.

Always be safe, chock those wheels. You could raise one rear tire, put it in neutral, then twist the shaft back and forth

there's a *How to* thread around here on ujoints and such. But sorry i can't provide the link

help any?