Transmission problems (I think)?????????

[97XLTV8]

I have a 1997 Explorer with the 5.0L and AWD. Recently I began to notice a shake/vibration right before it shifts. First I thought it was just the roads I drive but this has become an everytime problem. I also have noticed when I am pulling out of my driveway (there is a slight bump near the end) that I hear a clunk from somewhere in the rear. Anyone have any ideas? I have an extended warranty contract until 100K, its at 68K now and if there is some problem with the transmission I would like to get it fixed. If I just take it in to the dealership they will just tell me it did not do it when they road tested it. I had a bad squeek/clunk that they could not diagnose for well over 6 months until I noticed my L.H. front tire chewed itself up (inside edge) and that turned out to be upper and lower ball joints @ 60K miles. Thanks for any help!

 

[JoshC]

Hey, welcome to the board, hope we can shed some light on your problem. Have you checked your u-joints out? Since it is shuttering then that is a pretty good sign of u joints, well has been for me anyways. Good luck!

Happy trails!!

 

[97XLTV8]

My brother was just telling me that he thought it could be the u-joints. He also mentioned that backing up and putting it in drive without coming to a complete stop is hell on the u-joints. If thats true than I am to blame big time because I don't usually come to a stop. He also said that could make the clunk. So, bad u-joints could casue the vibration right before the tranmission shifts (it shift perfect just that vibration)?????

 

[JoshC]

Yeah, sounds pretty much like it. I would definantly change those babies before i'd start working on a tranny!

Happy trails!!

 

[97XLTV8]

Yep, time to make an appointment and give the dealership an idea of what I belive is wrong. I feel its pretty bad when everytime I take one of my cars in to get fixed their response is they can't make it act up. My newest problem is with my '99 Taurus SE (84K miles), the abs light comes on randomly (usually after driving for a while) and stays lit. The abs kicks in (pedal crunch) when it should not even think about it (pavement---->not wet). They could not get the abs light to come on when they road tested it. So, its going in again on the 8th and I hope they can find some code in the abs computer or all hell is going to break loose. Thanks again for the information.