Hillsboro Auto Repair

A clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse means something is moving farther than it should as engine torque changes direction. The sound may come from worn engine or transmission mounts, excessive drivetrain clearance, a damaged axle joint, loose suspension hardware, or a transmission engagement problem. The exact cause depends on when the clunk occurs and what the vehicle does at the same time. A single thud as the gear engages points technicians toward a different group of components than repeated clicking while backing up or a knock that appears when accelerating after the shift. Worn Engine Or Transmission Mounts Engine and transmission mounts hold the powertrain in position while isolating vibration from the vehicle body. Most use rubber, hydraulic fluid, or electronically controlled components to absorb movement. As a mount weakens, the engine or transmission can shift excessively when torque is applied. Selecting Drive loads the mounts in one direction, wh ... read more