CLUNK! Is it the motor mounts or control arm bushings?

[Francis K]

Everyone tells me something different, I'm sure everyone knows what i'm talking about. That clunking sound when you change gears.


The question is...

Is it a serious problem and how difficult is the repair?

 

[OZCAL]

Well, I have the clunk and my motor mounts "checked out" so my clunk is not the motor mounts. I have had the clunk loud in my two LCs, one which I owned since 56K miles, and not as loud in the LX (soundproofing?). I don't worry about it; it never gets worse in my experience. Hope I'm not ignoring something serious.

David

 

[landtank]

It's most likely some driveline slop. The 91-92s have more of it than the other years. I've found 2 trucks with worn drive flanges that once replaced helped the problem but didn't totally get rid of it. No quick answers here, you'll have to dig in and find the problem yourself.

 

[robbie]

One area that i found recently is the slip yoke on the drive shafts, If any slop here their can be more of a clunk. Recently I replace my rear drive shaft to a CV one and it has no slop at the slip joint. My clunk is gone when I run 2x mode. In 4x mode I have a little slop in the front slip joint, so I have a very slight clunk. Everything else currently is tight, Gears have been replace in the last year, Birfs 2 years ago, locking hubs with very little slop. So I would look to see if you have any slop in the slip joints as well as what others have mentioned. later robbie

 

[Kalawang]

Francis K,


I have a significant clunk when my gears change. I'm still not satisfied that the cause has been found. I suppose one of these days something will break and I'll find it. I've had that clunk for three years now and it only diminishes slightly when I grease the u-joints.

I'll be a very interested observer of this discussion.


Kalawang

 

[nyk438]

Are your U-joints packed in pretty well? Also drop the front and back drivehsfats and check the splines on them. If they're worn your going and if there is play between the splines your going to need to replace the driveshaft(s).

 

[92FJ]

I have this clunk on My Highlander whcih is fairly new- 2003 with close to 30k miles. I have went to the dealer numerous times and they have said to not worry about it as long as your engine and tranny are in perfect harmonious order! My Landcruiser has never has this problem. I guess it just depends how each car is driven. I hear mine clunk when the tranny is changing from 1-2. At what point do you hear your noise??

 

[semlin]

there is a driveline clunk thread in FAQs where a lot of the options are covered.