downshifting clunk, 2-1 clunk, everyone with the problem in here

[Goodin]

ok ive looked at this thread

here

and a few others, and no one seems to have found a fix, heres the symptoms:

Clunk while decelerating, about 10mphish, feels like it happens when the tranny is downshifting from 3 to 1 or 2 to 1.

Dosent always happen

Some have ABS activiation

fell free to list what i forgot

things to try:
greese slip joint
inspect U-joints

now if your slip joint is all greesed up and the u-joints have no play your in the same boat as me, i figure if we tell what is happening and what vehicles its happening to maybe we can find a solution, so post up what youve tryed, and info about your vehicle.


mine is a 97 4.0 SOHC with the 5R55E, 4x4, 180k, transmission was rebuilt at about 130k while the torque convertor was getting replaced. Dosent do it if i put it in neutral while decelerating. dosent always do it, but happens about 90% of the time, not real hard, just noticable, abs activates about 20% of the time, seems to very with how hard i use the brakes. has lasted about 40k, no change in hardness or frequency. thinking maybe something in the transfer case?? something in the tranny? a lot of people with the problem seem to have had the tranny rebuilt?

Post up!!!! :roll:

 

[offset_98]

Its actually the 3-2 clunk and its normal. I've had it for as long as I can remember and I'm at 175,000 miles.

 

[Goodin]

well i know its not normal, as we have had the explorer since new and its only been doing it for the past 40k miles or so (currently 180k), im sure it dosent hurt anything, but its annoying.

p.s. are you seriously on your 8th tranny?

 

[offset_98]

Yes I am...one of them actually burnt up on their test drive before returning it to me. This one is a good one though...I've had it for about 70k miles.

 

[hunterdan]

I have the same problem. Mine started after I installed the superior shift kit. I disconnected the ABS sensor to eliminate the ABS kicking in. It started just after I did the shift kit, the very first downshift while slowing down after installing it. Replaced U-joints and greased driveshaft slip to no avail. Disconnected the ABS fuse once to deactivate the ABS, but also cut out the speedometer and such, but that stopped the clunk. I have a 98 OHV with the 5R55E.

Dan

 

[badge49]

Don't know if mine is related, but I've had the same problem with downshift from 2-1 at slow stops. With mine it's the electric shift actuator that comes with the AT. I just reset the electronics (power disconect) and mine works fine again. I'll replace the actuator when it finally dies, but untill then it's a no-brainer temporary fix for me.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Using the wrong kind of ATF in a 5R55E could cause shudder. Use Mercon 5, or add some Lubegard additive if you are not sure what kind of ATF is in there. If your ABS is false triggering, check the front sensors by the calipers for a dirt build up.

 

[Goodin]

i know when ours was rebuilt they installed a shift kit, i wish they didnt as it upshifts a bit too harsh, and apperantly the clunk might be related.

ill try disconnecting the battery and seeing if that fixes it for a bit.

im pritty sure it has mercon v, it dosent shudder, and if i pop it in neutral while slowing down it dosent do it, so im thinking it is related to the tranny downshifting.

 

[hunterdan]

Disconnected battery, used mercon V and still does it.

Dan

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you ever adjust the bands?

 

[toypaseo]

I brought my Explorer to a local small independent mechanic to change the rear u-joints. I thought the noise from them being worn. The mechanic dropepd the driveshaft, inspected them, then put it all back together. U-joints were fine. He greased the slip joint also.

That solved my clunking noise. Been fine since late last year. I don't drive my Explorer much, so that could be why the fix has lasted a while.

 

[Jeff00000168]

I had the same problem. Hopefully, this will help someone here. Check out my thread 2nd to 1st downshift noise. I fixed it for $20

 

[Goodin]

i did see your thread before jeff and i quickly tested the tps, ill bust out the multimeter again and look up the specs.

i did adjust the bands, one was off, on a 97 one is supposed to be 2.5 out and it was only 2, that did fix the harsh up shift a good amount but didnt do anything for the clunk.

the tps problem does make me think.....

also im going to see if it makes a difference if its in drive, overdrive or in 2nd as badge suggested in a pm.

 

[SensRanger]

downshifting clunk, 3-2 clunk, still a problem

I want to bump this thread because I still have this problem and its driving me nuts.

*3-2 downshift clunk, happens always.
*Can make it far less noticeable by braking HARD right before I know its about to shift from 3 to 2. Passengers don't like that, however.
*Started a little while after a rebuild. Have a 5r VB on my 4r55e (in a vain attempt by the shop to fix the clunk...eventually they said: its not the trans, its from behind the trans. And indeed, absolutely Zero other complaints about the trans besides this.)
*Sometimes feels like a thud, sometimes a Clunk!, sometimes a bump, sometimes a metallic Clank, but its there
*Does NOT happen if manually shift the lever from D to 2, truck shifts down to 2 smooth as can be (??!!?). Only happens on computer controlled shifts.
*Mechanic checked u-joints, apparently are tight (are the originals, but only 70,000 miles on the truck). Do have an occasional tip in/tip out clunk that sounds VERY similar, so I am not 100% convinced the u-joints are good (I had a u-joint in the front axle that it seemed tight and good....more like seized and rusted solid). COuld be Excessive backlash also maybe???
*Lubed slip yoke TWICE, no change either time
*Replaced rear spring shackles
*Reprogrammed TPS
*Has been happening for a year / 13,000 miles with no change
*Hanger bearing bushing looks dry, cracked, and old, but the mechanic said it was fine and there was supposed to be a bit of up/down and side/side play there...I thought this might have played a role?
*Replaced trailing arm bushings, stabilizer link bushings, ball joints

Its plain that its either from the trans, the t-case, the driveshaft (u-joints or carrier bearing), or the rear end.

Some posts on here claim this is normal and won't hurt anything, to me it feels sickly, Someone must know the deal here!!??

Thank you!

 

[Nocturnall]

mine does it too but I also reprogrammed my trans with a xcal 2, assumed it had to do with that. My trans only has 9k miles on it.

 

[Goodin]

bump

ive been thinking about this again lately, as its still doing it.

it might be due to excess play in the rear end, like in the spider gears, at least this might cause the abs to activate since the abs tone wheel is around the ring gear not directly connected to the axles themselves. ours has a limited slip, and i thought clutch pack ware might cause this excess play. but if some of you are having this under 100k i doubt that is it. maybe ill change the fluid soon and take a peek inside the pumpkin.

also i noticed almost everyone with this problem has had the transmission replaced, i wonder if there is a common error re-builders are making when putting them them together.

also, i had the PCM updated at a local lincoln dealer, there was like 10 updates since the original programming! it now upshifts smoother and we gained one mpg, but the clunk is still there.

exactly like sansranger says, if you brake hard, it dosnt seem to do it.

Discuss....

edit: i noticed hunter said it started with the shift kit, and i know when they rebuild the transmission they usually install a "shift kit" because they claim it fixes problems from the factory and increases the life. and i know on our tranny rebuild bill it had "shift kit" listed. SO does everyone with the problem either had there transmission rebuilt or had a shift kit installed????

edit edit: 600miles shy of 200k now and still going strong

 

[Tbonejr]

Mine was rebuilt at 145,000 miles and it started doing the same thing on the down shift. The mechanic told me it was my MAFS. I haven't changed it yet. He said it wouldn't hurt anything but it does concern me. Im at 166,000 and would like this trany to last as long as poss.

 

[SensRanger]

Just wanted to bump this again, as my 3-2 downshift clunk is still as plain as the day I got the truck back from the trans rebuild....

45,000 kms & 3 years since then.

ANY new brains out there with some idea of what the problem is, or old brains with new insight??

 

[offset_98]

I traded it. Problem solved.

 

[KevMo1958]

My '98 has had the downshift 'clunk' for years. Trans has never been rebuilt, and otherwise works great. I discovered this thread and thought I would try the TPS. Changed the TPS and it seems to be less prevalent, but still there.

I also found this using google:

http://thisdarncar.com/vb/ford/66161-clunk-when-downshifting-ford-explorer.html

Seems like something that should have been taken care of during a re-build, but some are saying the problem started right after a trans re-build.