200 r4 Heavy Jolt, Neutral to D

[ed1948]

1986 Monte Carlo SS, 305, all stock, 90K miles
-u joints tight and fairly new
-rear control arm bushings good
-idle speed -around 600
-slight high speed vibration(new tire rebalanced, vibration on old tires as well)
- The hard engagement was there when I bought the SS and has gotten slightly worse after the shift kit.
Is this something that needs attention asap or can I get another several months of light use.
Also, is this a repair a motivated DIY'r can do? I prefer to do my own work rather than to pay others.

Heavy clunk and jolt from N to D, smooth engagement N to R.
We were doing some investigating and found the clunk sound coming from the transmission.
OBSERVATIONS:
1) less than 1/16th" rotational play at diff yoke
2) 1/16" rotational play at transmission output(at driveshaft)
3) less than 1/16" sideways play as measured at driveshaft at output shaft


I read on the interweb there is a wave washer or lack of, that can cause hard engagement.

Edited: measurement corrected

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Have you checked your gear back lash? A transmission specialty shop can do this for you if you don't have the gauges / know how.

 

[TexasT]

If who ever it it together didn't put the wave plate in the low/rev pack it can shift in pretty harshly. I put two waves in mine so it was smooth.

 

[84cutspreme]

how many mileson trans? has it been rebuilt?

 

[ed1948]

136K km = approx 90K miles. The clunk was noticeable when I bought it 1000 miles ago. Installing the mild shift kit made no difference.
It does not look like the trans has never been apart.(other than the valve body by me) I plan to get the output shaft bushing replaced because there is play. The mechanic said that step would be an inexpensive first step.
I re-adjusted the TV cable and the clunk seems to be less severe.

 

[84cutspreme]

136K km = approx 90K miles. The clunk was noticeable when I bought it 1000 miles ago. Installing the mild shift kit made no difference.
It does not look like the trans has never been apart.(other than the valve body by me) I plan to get the output shaft bushing replaced because there is play. The mechanic said that step would be an inexpensive first step.
I re-adjusted the TV cable and the clunk seems to be less severe.

I would venture to say just worn out and probably needs thrust bearings replaced as well as new clutches and steels. Even if wave steel is installed they do wear out or flatten over time. I have more knowledge on 700r4 but they are very similar. If you know a good reputable trans shop I’d have it overhauled. You can buy a manual and tackle it yourself. I lucked out bc friend of family owns shop locally so I literally brought clutch packs up to shop and had them check over clearances and play. The kit I brought did not have the correct wave steel so they replaced with different one and off I went. Havent had any issues with trans with exception of a valve getting stuck when I changed fluid, filter and torque converter. I slowly drove car to shop and it was quick fix

 

[ed1948]

Thanks for your reply. I could see myself rebuilding a trannny during the off season.

 

[pontiacgp]

Thanks for your reply. I could see myself rebuilding a trannny during the off season.

you might want to bookmark this thread....

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/200-4r-build-its-starting-complete.57646/

 

[1badgbody]

Had a very similar issue, same exact symptoms, turned out that the transmission mount was loose. I would do all the simple $h!t before you throw in the towel on the transmission. Get the u-joints done, get the driveshaft balanced, throw a new transmission mount on and get the rear end checked. All stuff that is relatively inexpensive and you'll want to get it done before you put in a new transmission anyway but it might wind up making the noise go away.