Transmission Behavior

[Sean D]

Hey everybody, this is my first post and I am new to Ford products as well. I just recently bought a used '93 Explorer with 82K in miles. I have a 4 speed OD AT. The truck runs great but somtimes when when I am shift from Park to Reverse or from Reverse to OD I get a loud 'THUNK!!' It does not happen everytime. Is this somthing specific to Ford transmissions?
I took it to a tranny place and the guy was trying to prepare me for an entire rebuild at $2000!! The transmission displays no other adverse behaviors. I have owned AT before and had them go out. This one is not slipping between gears or even having trouble going into gear.
Can anyone offer any insite? Is their a 'history' with my particular year and model Explorer that has tranny problems? Any personal experience would be greatly appriciated. Thanks!

Sean

 

[jimbo74]

lets star out... welcome to the site. you will find everything you will ever need to know and more about your explorer.

on to the tranny, the a4LD is your tranny. it has a lot of weak points. it isnt suited for hard driving. but it will hold up if kept up properly. some have needed it rebuilt @15k others have gone well over 100k on theirs. mine has 92k and no problems....

what you may be experiencing could be low fluid level or even just a normal thing called garage shift. some do this regularly when they arent lubed and warmed up. this situation normaly occurrs as you leave your driveway or garage.

 

[Sean D]

I'll pay a little closer attention in the future but I think the times I notice the 'THUNK' is when it is cold, ussually first thing in the morning. This is my wifes car and we aren't intending it for any offroading. This is strictly a street machine. I could see towing somthing behind it in the future but that would be it. When it comes to off road we use my truck, a 2000 Xterra.

Sean

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I believe the "thunk" you're talking about is from your U-joint. If this happens, you need to service it as soon as possible because this may cause damage to your driveshaft. I'm not big on the mechanics of this but others will help ya and verify my response so if I'm wrong, please correct me so I can learn something.

P.S. Welcome to this board, Sean!!!

 

[amigo]

Sean,
My 91 had the same noise when shifting from park to drive or to reserve. Turned out 1 U-joint on each drive shaft (front and rear) needed replaced. that would probably be a good place to start and it's not real expensive and farily easy to do.

 

[Jim Galloway]

Sean,

If you check out my post listed on 7-03-2001 you will find some information about the u-joints that might be helpful.

Good luck!

 

[Sean D]

Thanks for all the usefull information. I have been out of town and just got back.

Sean