1998 Honda Accord Noise when shifting + soft squeak

PHANTOM 699

MEMBER
1998 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
111,659 MILES

So I bought my accord a couple years ago and I dont travel with it. I go about 15minutes to school and 15back and the occasional 10 to work and 10 back. Recently, when I shift from park to reverse, it has the thrust like your going backwards, but there is a clunk. When shifting into drive and neutral however, there is no sound or very little. When the car is slanted "driveway", the noise when putting it into reverse is loooud! My guess is the transmition is going and when the car is slanted it's hitting the reverse max lever? Or the reverse gear is worn out. I do not currently have the money to drop 3grand+ for a new transmition and from what I have read they dont last much longer then 40,000 before more problems. Any suggestions on what to do? The gears do not slip and it drives great. The RPM's do not go over 4000 before changing and it idles down at 800 fairly fast.
Also, there is a faint like squeak once in a while while im driving in 1st/2nd gear. Any ideas?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi phantom 699,

For pre year 2000 models, the trans are rather reliable and does not give way as easily.

If the clunking is only occuring when shifting to reverse, it could be due to faulty engine mounts. Watch the engine while shifting to reverse. If the engine seems to jump when reverse engages, it most likely is a bad engine mount.

Check the drive axles as well. If there are excessive clearance due to wear of the inner CV joints, clunking would occur.