Clunking when transmission shifts

RDS145

MEMBER
2005 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
184,000 MILES

When I go from R to D it goes into gear hard and sometimes makes a clunking noise. It doesn't slip going down the road. I think there is a leak around the inner CV or some where else.

Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 4:44 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

Hi,

If you hear a clunk, there could be an issue with one of the CV joints. Take a look through this link. It explains how a CV joint works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-cv-joint-works

Let's start there. I'm suggesting this because if you noticed a leak at the transmission, where the axle goes into it, a bad inner joint could cause the seal to fail.

I attached some basic checks below in pic 1. Take a look through them and let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Image (Click to make bigger)

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 9:39 PM

RDS145

MEMBER
2 POSTS
2005 FORD FOCUS
184,000 MILES

Okay, my transmission is you going into drive and reverse kind of hard and that's one the right side. Well, the passenger side is making the noise while going down the road. Can't tell if it's a wheel bearing or it is the CV going bad. My boots are fine on the CV's.

Images (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2021 AT 2:36 PM (Merged)

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

Hi,

I can't tell by looking at the pics. However, there is a difference between a bad CV joint and a bad wheel bearing.

In most cases, a bad wheel bearing will make a howling noise. A CV joint will make a clicking when making sharp turns. Also, if the CV joint is very bad, it can clunk when shifting gears.

If I'm correct, the second pic is of the intermediate shaft. If that bearing is bad, you should be able to move it around when there is no load on it. Place the parking brake on and block the wheels so the car can't move. Place the vehicle in neutral to remove any load on that bearing and see if there is play in it.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2021 AT 2:36 PM (Merged)