Clunk from R to D and trans whining noise?

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Joined
Apr 19, 2011
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Russia, far east
Hi everyone (sorry in advance about my English) My first post on 200 section community😃. I have a 2016 LX with 78900 miles. Since I have 80series I could handle everything myself but not this one so I need your advice now.

The LX is park in a closed underground parking near the wall, with transmission gear shift, there is some whiling sound, also when I go up from underground parking I hear this whiling similar to an electric VW car. You can hear this sound in the video. I think it's less after warming, need double check. No other problems have been with the transmission.

Now about clunk.
I had similar problem on 80s where I know what to do for the fix, or make it less noise with some shifting manipulating. but now it doesn't help

Clunking Only from R to D, from R to P then again D.

NOT from D to R, P to R, P to D, P to N.

Keeping for a few seconds in Neutral with little rolling back, does not have much effect, as it was on 80s where I could completely eliminate clunk.

What have I done:

2: All u-joint were greased till grease came out.

3: Propeller shafts were greased too, rear till starts extending, Front until barely starts. I got lots of grease coming out only from pumping port, not yoke ( I was afraid to broke inner seal inside propeller shaft tube)

4: Clunk present even when the transfer case is locked.

5: Up to hill and down to the hill there is still a clunk when shifting transmission from reverse to drive.

6: found minor bent on front driveshaft tube.

IMG_20221024_163928_HDR.jpg


Btw this is such a good car, comfortable larger interior, comfortable to drive, powerful v8, soft suspension. But this problem really makes me sad, my mistake was lack of inspection it before buying from PO😥, was more worried about the condition of body with no serious incident or repairing.

Hope on your help.



 
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Have you driven it after hearing these noises? If so does it drive ok? Any loss of power?
Yes around 3хх km since purchase, no any lack of power (comparing 80s😃) still have "kickdown" no delaying in shifting or accelerating, no rough shift engaging, except that one than need TBS flashing but very rarely this problem comes to mind
 
Do you know the vehicle history? Any record of a transmission fluid change? Transmission fluid level ok? How about the transfer case.....same questions.

The driveshaft is a pretty robust tube. If that dent is not normal, it took quite a hit (or the driveshaft was used to to lift the vehicle).

If you greased the propeller shaft slip joint to the point of extension, I suspect it's too full. I think you indicated you removed the grease fitting and let the grease come out. You may need to do that while cycling the suspension to make sure there is room in the slip joint for some movement. If there isn't, I think it will clunk.
 
Do you know the vehicle history? Any record of a transmission fluid change? Transmission fluid level ok? How about the transfer case.....same questions.

The driveshaft is a pretty robust tube. If that dent is not normal, it took quite a hit (or the driveshaft was used to to lift the vehicle).

If you greased the propeller shaft slip joint to the point of extension, I suspect it's too full. I think you indicated you removed the grease fitting and let the grease come out. You may need to do that while cycling the suspension to make sure there is room in the slip joint for some movement. If there isn't, I think it will clunk.
Yes, I went to the dealer and took the documents of the last service trans oil and filter was changed at 50900miles, currently 78900miles, no any history about transfer case service.

BTW this clunk was the first thing I noticed and went to the service to change the engine oil and service driveshafts with u-joints, but the dude was lazy and did not touched "hard-to-reach points" so I did it myself

yes, after greasing driveshafts I unscrewed the fittings and let the pressure with grease come out, I also raised and lowered the AHC but did not went at street uphills with unscrewed fittings.
 
I doubt if they did a transmission fluid and filter change at 50,000 miles. Unless someone insist that this service be done, no one is going to touch transmission at this mileage. Do you know how much they charged for this service if it was you who paid for it?

also, just check the color of transmission fluid by openning the transmission plug for check the fill level. (the transmission oil should be warm enough to be able to see oil come out from this plug. (And close it immediately after you collect few drops of it.)

Most of the symptoms you mentioned, 1st safe step to look for and replace is transmission fluid and make sure its at the correct level.
also check the torque on the drive shaft bolts if they are excessively loose? (I dont think this causes the wining noise, but if you suspect some clunk or excessive play, its worth checking).
 
I doubt if they did a transmission fluid and filter change at 50,000 miles. Unless someone insist that this service be done, no one is going to touch transmission at this mileage. Do you know how much they charged for this service if it was you who paid for it?

also, just check the color of transmission fluid by openning the transmission plug for check the fill level. (the transmission oil should be warm enough to be able to see oil come out from this plug. (And close it immediately after you collect few drops of it.)

Most of the symptoms you mentioned, 1st safe step to look for and replace is transmission fluid and make sure its at the correct level.
also check the torque on the drive shaft bolts if they are excessively loose? (I dont think this causes the wining noise, but if you suspect some clunk or excessive play, its worth checking).
Cost of changing trans oil in 2020 was 273$ 6 liter oil + filter + gasket+ job, it was done by PO in official dealer where he bought car.

If I "DIY" should I do full trans flushing?( Discnt. hose from trans cooler, and wait till fresh oil come) or emptying and refilling is enough?

I will check DS bolts
 
Do you guys hearing too any whining when shifting transmission? Or is it my paranoia, could you record the same event under the car
 
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I had something similar and my shop was able to diagnose to failing body side bushings on the LCAs. Given location it sounded like it was coming more from center of the car.

I noticed it moving into reverse and especially on inclines or areas of travel (e.g. backing out of driveway over curb). May not be your issue, but may be worth ruling out.
 

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