Jerk/Thud when shift from Neutral to Drive or Reverse

[Avet14]

Ok I have an 07 V6 4WD and my problem is that anytime I shift from neutral into either D or R even with my foot firmly on the brake, it will jerk or thud pretty hard.

I've only experienced it to this severity on cars with very high mileage on them, not a brandnew one.

I searched around on this forum and only found the driveshaft noise thread which wasn't exactly the problem I'm having.

Is this something you all experience or is there something loose in my 4runners driveline thats causing this to happen. Any TSB's on this issue?

Thanks for any help.

 

[keylay31]

You know, now that I think about it, this happens to me too, but I don't think to the severity that you seem to be describing here. This is my first automatic, I guess I thought it was common.

Thoughts?

 

[Avet14]

I've driven automatics where the engagement is absolutely seamless.

It feels as though something is loose as far as tranny mounts, or that the engines RPM's need to drop when shifting into D or R, and they just arent doing so.

 

[gizmopt2002]

It's just because there is some play in the driveline (normal) and when you shit from N to D or R it spins it just a little. Don't forget the T4R is also RWD. Theres a pole goin back to where the tires are.

 

[Avet14]

It's just because there is some play in the driveline (normal) and when you shit from N to D or R it spins it just a little. Don't forget the T4R is also RWD. Theres a pole goin back to where the tires are.

Well I understand that but like I mentioned it seems like too much play for a car this new. I had a 99 Landcruiser with 90k miles on it that didnt do this. I also have a 96 Towncar (also RWD) with over 200k miles on it that still doesn't do it this harshly.


ps. Nice on the Zen Vision M, I just noticed that in your sig. I've got one too but do you have yours somehow integraded in it other than the auxilery input?

 

[toto]

This happens to me once in a great while, usually when shifting from reverse to drive. I agree it's a bit more pronounced on the 4Runner than on other cars I've driven, but I don't think it's a sign of a problem. I think it might be related to the driveshaft clunk; the same forces are probably at work on the driveshaft or rear axle.

 

[gizmopt2002]

ps. Nice on the Zen Vision M, I just noticed that in your sig. I've got one too but do you have yours somehow integraded in it other than the auxilery input?

As of right now only the tape adapter. lol. But soon there is a dock coming out that is much like how the iPod's are integrated.

 

[Sac State]

Mine lurches more when it has sat overnight. Once driven and warm it doesn't do it as much. Does it happen all the time or just when cold?

 

[blindside]

I hear mine clunk once in a while but not as bad as you described, i guess you can say i got used to it..

 

[Avet14]

Mine lurches more when it has sat overnight. Once driven and warm it doesn't do it as much. Does it happen all the time or just when cold?

it is most noticeable upon start-up. I guess the engine is running harder when cold thats why.

 

[Avet14]

As of right now only the tape adapter. lol. But soon there is a dock coming out that is much like how the iPod's are integrated.

Well I have the iPod in my other car with an Alpine deck that controls it, and in the 4Runner I use an auxillary cable into the jack in the center console. The dock would be pretty nice.

 

[Uneek]

Mine's done it twice. Both times it was a pretty loud bang and jolt.

 

[gizmopt2002]

Wait. i think we're on a different page here. I'm talking about that little rotation it does shifting from P - R - D or whatever. Not a huge jolt. This also reminds me. The new buses at our school have a REALLY thin (the words escape me, the thing that spins, under the car, connect the trans to the rear axle?) And for the load it carries, I'm surprised it hasn't snapped.

 

[Avet14]

Wait. i think we're on a different page here. I'm talking about that little rotation it does shifting from P - R - D or whatever. Not a huge jolt. This also reminds me. The new buses at our school have a REALLY thin (the words escape me, the thing that spins, under the car, connect the trans to the rear axle?) And for the load it carries, I'm surprised it hasn't snapped.

The driveshaft. and i think were on the same page. the driveshaft rotating is whats causing the car to jerk.

my guess is that the cars that ive driven that DONT jerk when shifting into D or R, act that way because I believe there is less slack between their transmissions and differentials.

It seems like the 4runner has a lot of slack between when the transmission grabs hold of the driveshaft, and when the driveshaft grabs hold of the rear differential. Just bad design I guess.

And the driveshaft on the busses may seem thin but they're a lot thicker than the ones in conventional cars and trucks. It takes a LOT of force to actually twist and snap a solid metal pole. The U joints at the ends of the shaft will break before the shaft itself ever does.

 

[Uneek]

Wait. i think we're on a different page here. I'm talking about that little rotation it does shifting from P - R - D or whatever. Not a huge jolt. This also reminds me. The new buses at our school have a REALLY thin (the words escape me, the thing that spins, under the car, connect the trans to the rear axle?) And for the load it carries, I'm surprised it hasn't snapped.

Driveshaft?

I'm not talking about the thump in the other thread that people experience after coming to a stop (and greasing the driveshaft appears to be a fix) issue. This was shifting from either D to R or R to D. The jolt was much more than the other cars during the D to R and vice versa shift, but nothing like a huge or big jolt, just enough that it didn't seem "normal".

The two times I've exprienced this was backing into my garage. I park closer to one side in the garage so I can get around the back of the 4Runner (it's got a wide butt, compared to the Camry).

 

[keylay31]

I'm talking about the "forward thrust" that i get if I'm sitting at a stop light and switch it from N to D.

 

[Hank]

I guess the clunk when engaging D from N or going to R from N is normal. However, the funny thing is that I find it smoother to engage D in 2HI rather than 4HI. Whenever I'm in 4wd, it isn't as smooth to engage D.

On a side note: my sister's '06 TL 5spd auto never seem to shift into D as smooth as my 4R. I recall other members on this board having TLs as well. Can anyone confirm this? It's been like that since purchased new. The somewhat harsh clunk while engaging D just doesn't seem right to me.

 

[Andrew3926]

Thud when shifting

Whoa - I have the same problem . When I shift from Park to Drive or from Park to Reverse , there is a LOUD THUD / CREAKING NOISE !!!!!

The suv only has 6000 miles on it . It really sounds horrible for a brand new car - anyone has any input ???

thanks in advance
have a blessed day
Andrew

 

[Avet14]

Re: Thud when shifting

Whoa - I have the same problem . When I shift from Park to Drive or from Park to Reverse , there is a LOUD THUD / CREAKING NOISE !!!!!

The suv only has 6000 miles on it . It really sounds horrible for a brand new car - anyone has any input ???

thanks in advance
have a blessed day
Andrew

YES I get that same creaking noise as well!

 

[Andrew3926]

Re: Re: Thud when shifting

YES I get that same creaking noise as well!

I feel less worried knowing it may be a common problem . Neverthless , something just doesnt seem right - its too new .
My other vehicles in the past were bought with heavy mileage and i never had this problem .

For a $32 k dolar vehicle , I think its unacceptable to have creaking / thud sounds coming from underneath the car when shifting into gear . This is just my opinion as a consumer with no expertise in transmissions.

thanks for the response,
god bless,
Andrew