Transmission thunk noise

ACURA1977

MEMBER
1999 ACURA TL
3.2L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,019 MILES

When I shift the car from park to reverse, drive, or anything even neutral I get a loud thunk noise as it goes into gear. It even does it shifting from a gear back to park. I also slightly feel it when driving as it goes into various gears. Could it be transmission or engine mounts?

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

Chances are you have a bad CV joint which is causing excessive play in the axle. Is there any noise from the front end if you are making a sharp turn?

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-cv-axle-joint

As far as mounts, absolutely it could be related. Here are a couple links to look through related to mounts and what to look for:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-motor-mount-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-motor-mounts

Let me know if you have questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 8:49 PM

ACURA1977

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Hi. No it doesn't make a noise when I turn, the noise sounds and feels like it is maybe a torque converter, or something associated with the transmission. It's like after I shift from Park to whatever gear a second later I feel and hear a loud thud as it goes into the gear. It stops but when I first push the gas and start driving it shuts off it briefly before car moves? It's freaking me out. There is no slipping of gears, just feels like it shifts hard.

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 9:07 PM

ACURA1977

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5 POSTS

Sorry, I meant does it briefly at takeoff even in drive at a stop light before the car moves, it does not shut off. Sorry spelling errors above in question.

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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 9:10 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Okay, then I would suggest checking both transmission mounts and the engine mounts.

Try this: Get a helper. Start the engine and open the hood. Place the engine in drive and with your foot firmly on the brake and the parking brake engaged, gently press on the throttle. Do the same in reverse. While you do this, have your helper check to see if there is excessive up and down movement from the engine.

As far as the transmission, check the forward mount for condition. Check the lower rear mount (pic 1) and front mount (pic 2). Pic 3 shows where the motor mounts are located. Check them as well.

Joe

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