Transmission clunks when placed into drive

[ibgreezy]

1986 Monte Carlo ss all stock.

The transmission clunks when it is put in drive, just drive. Goes into other gears fine, shifts into gears fine, and has fluid. What can my problem be? Thanks

 

[87BlazeLS]

Check the U joints. You can reach under the car and try to twist the drive shaft when in park engine off.
There should be very minimal slack or Slope in the drive line. And it still could be in the transmission
or even possibly the rear end , But I suspect the u joints as the most viable culprit here.

 

[565bbchevy]

I agree with 87BlazeLS the u-joints are a wear item and are relatively inexpensive to replace and are usually the first thing to go especially when they are 30 years old.

 

[V8 Rumble]

I would take a look at the trans mount to while you're down there.

 

[Yav8]

Also check the converter bolts. Lots of thing to look at while you down their.

 

[ibgreezy]

I will take a good look under the car hopefully this weekend. Thanks guys

 

[87BlazeLS]

converter bolts hidden by flywheel cover, or exhaust interference can make this step more difficult.
You must at minimum have a decent high lift jack or jack stands. Perfect would be shop that might
put your car up on a lift for inspection. A fee would be involved but the inspection would be much
faster ,easier, through. The nice part about the U joint's is that they are fairly easy to work with
and the drive shaft can be removed and inspected as a unit. Remember when you remove the yoke
from the rear of the transmission fluid will spill out. If you jack the rear of the car up you can
minimize some of the fluid losses Good luck and please follow up...

 

[pontiacgp]

what do you hear when you put it in reverse?

 

[axisg]

check it all. Trans mount is cheap and quick, ujoints would be next. Likely some slop in the pinion as well. But as GP stated it likely would make noise in both D & R. Could even be the idle is too high ?