Loud clunking sound when vehicle goes from D to R or R to D

[philsey]

I have scheduled an service appointment. I will make sure I video record it. That's a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion!



I hope it's something as simple as fluid level. Let's see what the technician says.

Be sure you ride along ... you don't want the typical "could not duplicate" analysis.

 

[Swacer]

Oddly I didn't see this post at first, but I'm also having an odd thing happening with my 2016 limited with 5k miles.

I get a thud or a whine when going from R to D with the wheel turned.

 

[sherryKangz]

OP, are you sure it's not the brakes shifting in the normal operation when going from R to D and vice versa?

I am very sure that it's not coming from brakes because the sound doesn't come if I go R -> N -> D or vice versa.

It's not only the clunking sound but it also sounds as if engine revs up and then the gear is engaged and the vehicle moves by few inches.

 

[sherryKangz]

Oddly I didn't see this post at first, but I'm also having an odd thing happening with my 2016 limited with 5k miles.

I get a thud or a whine when going from R to D with the wheel turned.

Yes, it's worse when the wheels are turned. It doesn't sound as loud with straight wheels and after the vehicle has been driven for few miles.

 

[Swacer]

Yes, it's worse when the wheels are turned. It doesn't sound as loud with straight wheels and after the vehicle has been driven for few miles.

Then I believe we are experiencing the same thing.

Please PM me whenever your hear something. I plan on going in my for my 5k probably next weekend.

 

[Swacer]

It's not only the clunking sound but it also sounds as if engine revs up and then the gear is engaged and the vehicle moves by few inches.

Literally the same thing.

I can confirm, its not the brakes. I thought it was the power steering pump, but when I was installing my intake, the fluid looked to be just fine. It sounds like something spinning up and then forcing the truck to move. I'm thinking tranny....

 

[renau001]

One thing, what kind of climate are you in? And does it only do it when cold? Toyotas hold pretty high revs when idling to warm up. But when you go to reverse or drive it drops to a normal ~6-700 rpm idle. In between R and D it can rev up in between shifts when it's "out of gear" and then back down again. When this all happens kind of quick it can be kind of rough and its worse the more cold the engine is. I would not describe it as a clunk, but that doesn't mean somebody else wouldn't. Just a thought. Not trying to say you do or don't have an issue.

 

[Swacer]

One thing, what kind of climate are you in? And does it only do it when cold? Toyotas hold pretty high revs when idling to warm up. But when you go to reverse or drive it drops to a normal ~6-700 rpm idle. In between R and D it can rev up in between shifts when it's "out of gear" and then back down again. When this all happens kind of quick it can be kind of rough and its worse the more cold the engine is. I would not describe it as a clunk, but that doesn't mean somebody else wouldn't. Just a thought. Not trying to say you do or don't have an issue.

Western PA, temps are 50-70F in the morning over the last 2 weeks.

And all engines have pretty high RPMs when warming up and drop when put into gear, so this isn't a 1 off issue. Furthermore, I didn't have this the previous 4,000 miles.

 

[sherryKangz]

Then I believe we are experiencing the same thing.

Please PM me whenever your hear something. I plan on going in my for my 5k probably next weekend.

Sure. I will keep you posted.

 

[enapa]

Am I the only one that shifts to nuetral, applies the parking brake, then puts it in park?

It may be a waste of time, but I don't ever get any clunk because my vehicle is not being held in place by the transmission and makes me feel that my transmission will last longer.

 

[Swacer]

Am I the only one that shifts to nuetral, applies the parking brake, then puts it in park?

It may be a waste of time, but I don't ever get any clunk because my vehicle is not being held in place by the transmission and makes me feel that my transmission will last longer.

I don't think you're Even on the same page here. You're off on a parking pin tangent

 

[GGeezer]

Maybe you just need some ATF added?

 

[Swacer]

Maybe you just need some ATF added?

I have considered that. Its a shame that there is no easy method to checking level and adding it though.

Also, if it was low on fluid, you think it would have been making this sound during my previous 4,700 miles, not just appearing now. And since it has appeared now, it makes one wonder if unnecessary wear has already occurred. And since it developed several thousand miles later, and if I'm low, where did the fluid go?

For the record though, backed out of my driveway this morning, wheel turned to the right when I went into D, nothing today. (I had my phone recording the inside and my wife recording outside. So we will try steering left tomorrow)

I have an appt for the 23rd for my 5k, oil change, and I'm going to drop the car off there the night before so it is cold when they get it. I will ask that they check tranny fluid level just as a precaution.

I really love this vehicle, so this is minorly depressing. I just want this addressed so I don't have any future headaches.

 

[sherryKangz]

I recorded the sound and it's coming from rear side of the vehicle. Today it even happened after going from R -> N ->D.

I am not really sure but I was guessing shouldn't the transmission related sounds come from the front rather than the rear? I read few old posts and people were also relating this issue with U-Joints.

 

[sherryKangz]

I was also wondering if it's because of transmission fluid then that noise should also come when the shift occurs between drive gears 1 through 5.

 

[geurillawarfare]

Am I the only one that shifts to nuetral, applies the parking brake, then puts it in park?

It may be a waste of time, but I don't ever get any clunk because my vehicle is not being held in place by the transmission and makes me feel that my transmission will last longer.

The parking pawl is hardened and in all my years of rebuilding automatic transmissions, I never replaced one even when rebuilding a high mileage transmission. Just put it in park, it's safer that way

 

[GGeezer]

I have considered that. Its a shame that there is no easy method to checking level and adding it though.

Also, if it was low on fluid, you think it would have been making this sound during my previous 4,700 miles, not just appearing now. And since it has appeared now, it makes one wonder if unnecessary wear has already occurred. And since it developed several thousand miles later, and if I'm low, where did the fluid go?

For the record though, backed out of my driveway this morning, wheel turned to the right when I went into D, nothing today. (I had my phone recording the inside and my wife recording outside. So we will try steering left tomorrow)

I have an appt for the 23rd for my 5k, oil change, and I'm going to drop the car off there the night before so it is cold when they get it. I will ask that they check tranny fluid level just as a precaution.

I really love this vehicle, so this is minorly depressing. I just want this addressed so I don't have any future headaches.

I feel your pain. No dipstick is a real negative on lots of Toyotas.

 

[geurillawarfare]

I recorded the sound and it's coming from rear side of the vehicle. Today it even happened after going from R -> N ->D.

I am not really sure but I was guessing shouldn't the transmission related sounds come from the front rather than the rear? I read few old posts and people were also relating this issue with U-Joints.

Is this only happening (or only very noticeable) when you've first started it and it is at high idle? I only ask because I know most vehicles nowadays try to warm the cats up as quickly as possible, and this seems to draw out the high idle duration a bit... High idle will cause the engine to flare up in park and neutral, and then as the clutches engage for your forward or reverse gear, maybe you are getting some axle wrap or the vehicle is just squatting, making it feel like you are actually moving?

I'd have someone video the vehicle from the side as you duplicate this condition. Bonus if they can also get the rear driveshaft and rear axle flange in the video.

 

[sherryKangz]

Is this only happening (or only very noticeable) when you've first started it and it is at high idle? I only ask because I know most vehicles nowadays try to warm the cats up as quickly as possible, and this seems to draw out the high idle duration a bit... High idle will cause the engine to flare up in park and neutral, and then as the clutches engage for your forward or reverse gear, maybe you are getting some axle wrap or the vehicle is just squatting, making it feel like you are actually moving?

I'd have someone video the vehicle from the side as you duplicate this condition. Bonus if they can also get the rear driveshaft and rear axle flange in the video.

The sound is more noticeable when the vehicle is starting off cold and it gets better driving few miles.

I agree with you that vehicle is getting some axle wrap or the vehicle is just squatting, making it feel like you are actually moving. But I am not sure if it's safe?

I will record the rear axle and drive shaft movement. Thanks!

 

[Swacer]

Attempted to record it again this morning, and now with the wheel turned to the left, the sound isn't there.

It was 75F and humid this morning.

I'm wondering if when I am recording, I am taking longer to stop...say I'm stopping, and then shifting into D. During this time, I'm somehow giving it enough time to avoid it happening.

Either way, I'm going to attempt to record it once more tomorrow, after that, I'm going to just "leave it be" until the service appt.

Heck I'd rather just have the problem remedy itself