Auto trans clunk

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frank1, Jan 2, 9:23pm
Thanks all, changed oil,flushed torque converter and all good so far,oil was not so red when drained, fingers crossed.

cattleshed, Jan 3, 11:06am
I remember you saying the fluid was red on the dipstick. It wont look red in the drain pan due to density. The colour is best shown by putting a drop onto a white painted background. What FLUID did you use for the flush? If there is an improvement it would appear the wrong fluid was in the trans or insufficient fluid perhaps.

frank1, Jan 3, 8:11pm
# 29 Used Castrol DEX 111 for flush and refill, trans was serviced soon after I bought it, so dont know what they used at the time, but they were a customer of mine when I had my business, and yes trans was full.

intrade, Jan 3, 8:49pm
so did you drop the sump and change the filter and clean the magnets and new gasket before the flush?

frank1, Dec 29, 8:07pm
2002 Camry 2.4 4A FWD,sometimes small clunk when put into drive,then takes up,fluid level ok and clean.
Trans was serviced at 150,000, now done 204,000.
Any suggestions? TIA

mechnificent, Dec 29, 8:14pm
Are you sure it's in the trans ?
perhaps it's an engine mount, or axle shaft play. Or, if you have your foot on the brake at the time, a bit of play in a brake caliper perhaps.

curlcrown, Dec 29, 8:14pm
First toughts would be a mount but if there is a delay between putting in drive and the car moving it wouldn't explain that.

intrade, Dec 29, 8:19pm
did you actuarly check the fluid level of the auto trans with engine running? check hot and cold. And what colour is the fluid?

frank1, Dec 29, 8:40pm
Intrade, yes did all that, and as I said fluid is clean, ie red

frank1, Dec 29, 8:43pm
# 2 delay for drive, would be pretty sure its from trans

intrade, Dec 29, 8:55pm
someone done burnouts with it. check play of the differential ?

frank1, Dec 29, 9:21pm
U trying a windup intrade! Ive-owned it for10 yrs, lol

cattleshed, Dec 29, 9:38pm
Always first thing to check is the engine stabiliser. Open the bonnet. Look at the top left of the engine and you will see the stabiliser. It bolts to the engine and the strut tower. Either get someone to pop it in gear with you standing to the side (safety). Watch for movement. Or if necessary remove and inspect. These get a hammering. If it is on its way out get a new one from The Mountshop or BNT. Report back.

mechnificent, Dec 29, 9:54pm
I saw that Frank and a mount could probably be described as giving a delay by some people. If it's that top mount, or one under the motor on the fore and aft crossmember, it can take a tiny amount of time for the motor to sway into it's new place. I'd check as cattleshed says. get someone to put it into gear while you watch the motor move.

mechnificent, Dec 29, 9:58pm
Get then to go from forward to reverse a few times and watch.

frank1, Dec 30, 3:57pm
mech, engine stabilizer is good tiny movement only,motor barely moves when put into drive.

mechnificent, Dec 30, 4:04pm
Oh ok. Well noises are real hard to identify over the internet. I'm out of guesses or even things for you to try. You might have to get somebody to listen to it for you.

Someone in here might have some other ideas.

frank1, Dec 30, 4:08pm
Noticed today had same delay when putting into reverse, so took car to auto trans co that I know, guy there said they could flush, put new fluid in with an additive and try, but could also be 1st/reverse clutch which is not adjustable.
certainly not going to spend $3000 on complete overhaul, worth more than the car.

mechnificent, Dec 30, 4:09pm
Are you real sure the noise is coming from the trans are you ? When you're standing there looking, it sounds like from that direction, and always sounds like from that direction even if you lean over to the back or side and listen.

If you're sure it's trans, go see a trans expert and just ask what they think.

intrade, Dec 30, 4:12pm
so they recon its inside the trans? did you check the diff play move both wheels forward in same direction with hand and then reverse to see how much play there is,. Also a"OLD" toyota aisin should normally last 350 to 420,000km before it gives any problems . like on my corolla i lost all but reverse that was the speed govener plastic wheel stipped off. fitted one from a trans with 160k and it was fine again.

mechnificent, Dec 30, 4:19pm
Hi again. must have overlooked this. Yeah, the fact it does it in more than one gear will be a good clue. They will be right, and if it's just a sort of muffled clunk, not metallic, it's probably a bit of wear in the clutch pack and the stack of clutches has to be pumped with fluid until they all take th play. If the oil's still clean since the service then it doesn't sound like it's anything but normal wear and might go for ages.
In my experience, about 250 thousand is about the minimum for a trans, and sometimes a lot more. Keep monitoring it.

mechnificent, Dec 30, 4:21pm
I've never seen a change of fluid do the slightest bit of good.

mechnificent, Dec 30, 4:30pm
And I can never figure how the thieving bastards figure they can charge so much to overhaul trans. The parts are cheap, and it's not rocket science.

Well I do know. mechanics are afraid of them. and so make out it's specialists work. The specialists rub their hands and agree.

frank1, Dec 30, 4:53pm
Ha, fully agree mech, might just replace fluid myself on the off chance.

cattleshed, Dec 30, 5:01pm
Ok do some more checking. You said the clunking is sometimes. Also a delay. Yes it could be the trans but not necessarily. Worn bushes and splines can do odd things.

A few ideas for you.

1) Do not fall into the trap that it MUST be the trans though quite possibly is. Test all things is the key.

2) To help you do that, the best kit is this one:

https://www.steelmantools.com/wireless-chassisear-noise-vibration-diagnostic-device-kit-60635?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=283214a2ae9e5e3d151c470fa79cb182ee97890e-1609299143-0-AbBLsdHdzO0XoK8GBPYBj3Ls9jNiujkFfm8L5d9IkMmoZxyG3pQQ7-F20P-AyAKD6ric_BfPvPxcZW-Ro1qOLOehuUamu7iG-W2nHal-1jKB6OnsaALVC95e--Zp059iEwV2
O1GeGevL_XVeijyUQL4gbSpr7XtFVM7V5HiH1XyqV8IQJQpwWwDs9c22yHdo
6V9lA_PPOrvp1y3VW0Apm492nvAPncTB4qebBjCol3fyNrPSduHv_yHwaVYw
Bd9wDnGcAzuRwM6Y7fZQ29EVLfWxomt3WYT2v8gBGBrWnY0guzcqin7FmTvE
x6_1AueketNA5DsEoxM3BqzvFMDI2ZQJ4okzBopbblnueDh4saeSLK42GeYb
iHD2mr5Gtu4ZnUrMkMKRJyVN1ZNZR8R12qUrPeGYfxTuvL4ACPVyzlgOb_3y
s4j11y6dnMq4Y8rKAl6Kkp7cLNf8GovMgKFQ-3I


and you can strategically set up 4 different wireless receivers on different channels and then test it out on each channel. Then move the receivers and repeat as necessary. Warning: set the volume low initially and increase as necessary as these are very sensitive and you do not want to wreck your hearing! Some units have six receivers, even better!

3) Check the wheel nuts and hub nuts and evidence of movement.

4) I know you said there is little movement but I would remove the stabiliser and check. A five minute job. Don't be offended but a little movement is vague for a forum and open to interpretation.

5) Using the noise detector above or similar or even a stethescope IF the GREATEST noise is generated from the clutch pack area of the trans It is possible that the wrong FLUID has been put in the trans. (Oil is not a good word re auto's even though it starts out as a base oil.) I THINK they take Dex 3. CHECK. I would drain the pan, remove the pan and filter and look closely for evidence of debris and overheating. If it looked pristine I would fit a new filter and pan gasket and cycle the fluid through (perhaps 8L) rather than simply dumping a couple of litres from the pan. This trans should not require additional additives. If there was debris / overheating signs well I would still think that MAYBE the wrong fluid is in there so cycle it through (8L) at least.

6) Does the car have a towbar? It is possible it has been thrashed and that black fluid was removed and new (correct or incorrect fluid was cycled through! I say that because they are a very good trans and the km's are way too low for an issue such as this!

Hope you can get to the bottom of it!