"clunk" from manual shifter linkage

[49er]

 Took our car out for a spin today and noticed a slight "clunk' coming from the shifter linkage when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. When slapping the shift lever to reverse position, it is even more noticeable. The shifter is tight and gear selection is fine. The "clunk" sounds like it is coming from the front of the linkage. All the bushings had been replaced a few years ago. Any ideas?

John   

[Tyler S]

Best to start with a visual inspection of the linkage. Even newer bushings can fail. If you remove the tunnel carpet you can remove the access plate for the front linkage area and have a look. The main shift rod also has a built in rubber "damper" that can fail and cause metal to metal contact between its 2 halves and/or its locating pin.

[49er]

Best to start with a visual inspection of the linkage. Even newer bushings can fail. If you remove the tunnel carpet you can remove the access plate for the front linkage area and have a look. The main shift rod also has a built in rubber "damper" that can fail and cause metal to metal contact between its 2 halves and/or its locating pin.

Thanks, I will take a look tomorrow and see what's what.

John

[Shvegel]

Is the clunk at all related to loading the driveline or letting the clutch out?

[49er]

Is the clunk at all related to loading the driveline or letting the clutch out?

 No, it occurs with the engine off (and the clutch in) as well.

John

[Milly]

Just reading this question. I have this clunk when I let the clutch out as you mention. What is it? What causes it. It dosen't happen all the time. Very annoying.

[Tyler S]

Milly, A drivetrain clunk can be anything from bad motor mounts, transmission mount, rear axle carrier mount (inside trunk), exhaust making contact to the body, driveshaft joints, transmission output shaft nut loose, etc. Have seen it all. Best way to approach this is have a helper manipulate the clutch while in gear with the parking brake on and wheels chalked. Just enough to load the components without stalling the car. sometimes second or third gear works best. Then while they are doing this go around to the various components to try and isolate the noise.

Does it make the noise in neutral or just when leaving from a stop?

[49er]

 Getting back on this issue. Took a look and could see nothing out of place. If I down shift a little more "gently" from 3rd to 2nd I have no problem. Same goes for reverse ( a more "gentle slap"). To darn hot up here these days to drive the car much anyways so I will just have Ernie check it out on my next visit.

John 

[Milly]

I will try  what you say.   This past winter I  had transmission and motor mounts replaced drives shaft hanger bearing . The one thing I did not know about was rear axlel carrier mount you mentioned. The sound is coming from the back end only when going through gears shifting forward and more pronounced in 1st and 2nd. Is this accessible  visually from the trunk? Or underneath the  vehicle only. 

[Tyler S]

Milly, It's visible from the inside center of the trunk after removing the plastic cover. Look to see if it has dropped down and the round metal flange is making contact with the mount housing. Jacking up the diff slightly can expose the area that could be making contact.. look for shiny metal to metal contact.

[49er]

I drove the car down to Ernie last week for it's somewhat late yearly checkup and it didn't take him long to discover the source of the shifter "clunking"that I have been experiencing. The two rubber "shims" that sandwich the metal guide plate right below the shift lever (part 256 and 270 in the exploded view in the tech manual) were badly worn, especially the lower one. After replacing them, the shifter is good and solid now. Additionally, he bled the brakes, tire rotation, oil change and chassis Lube. On the way down to his garage, the car also passed the 6000 mile mark since he got the car running again back in '10.

John

The photo is of old top shim which was still in pretty good shape. The bottom one was almost completely worn away.