Anyone have a downshift clunk in a '99 automatic trans. 4x4 ? Mine's done it since new (12k miles now). Doesn't get better or worse. I am familiar with the '97's; tsb for a tight yoke, maybe the '99's have a yoke that's too loose? That's what mine sounds like. When the transmission downshifts (or I go over certain bumps), I get the noise. Never on upshifts. Anyone have an idea or have had one fixed? Thanks.

 

you didn't post your signature, but if you have a 5.4l and it clunks during coastdown at about 22mph then there is a tsb on this. I think it was 12-4-99 it called for a new calibration code flashed into your computer.
If it is a clunk during accel or decel then it could be a number of things. I suggest you try a search on "clunks" for the different possibilities. Mine does it also since new, about 12,000 miles. I have a 4.6L, a mechanic told me about the calibration problem for the coastdown clunk but there wasn't a fix for it yet (the 5.4's got a fix but not the 4.6's). They replaced my driveshaft assmebly, yoke/2- ujoints/driveshaft, but it did nothing for my clunk. I also get another clunk when cruising and I let my foot off the gas and then apply the gas again, might be the steering shaft. I know it makes alot of noise when I rock the steering wheel back and forth. I just haven't had the time to go back to my crummy dealer. Thinking about taking it to a different dealer, my 4th. What great service, Ford quality #1.

sorry for the long post.

Hobbit

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99 XLT,4.6L Auto,4X4,tow pkge,Factory Nerf Bars and Mudflaps, K&N filter,BugflectorII, Amazon Green/Silver, Pace Edwards Rolltop Cover, maybe a Superchip

 

Had the exact same problem. Driveshaft assembly was replaced and clunk is gone. When I took it in, they had to order the parts in, and told me I shouldn't drive it till repair was made, said it was unsafe!

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[This message has been edited by selva1 (edited 04-20-2000).]

 

Thanks for the info! Appreciate everyone's help. I suspected the yoke or other driveshaft component because it sounds exactly like a worn out spline in a yoke or something. The truck is a V6. It's been an excellent vehicle so far otherwise. Thanks again!

 

e350t: Try putting your tranny in 2nd and do the start / run up to 40 / and stop. See if the clunk is still there. Mine clunked since 1600 miles despite repeated service attempts which included replacing the driveshaft. Never would do it in first or second. Fought right along side my excellent Service Manager and got Ford to OK a new "Year 2000" autotranny. Guess what? Still has the clunk in drive, but not in 1st or 2nd. Must be the nature of the beast, or as in the 5.4l TSB, a reprogramming fix for the 3rd/OD shift sequence. Good luck, I believe it to be a problem with some of the 4.2l autotranny models in 1999......j.b.

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99 SC Sport, Silver color everywhere, 4.2 auto,3.55 rear gear, split bench, stock AM/FM @ 2 cheesy speakers w/Ford brand bedliner. Keep'n stock from the factory because we love it for what it is...One fine ride!

 

Mine happened when going through the gear selector at a stop with my foot on the brake, and when coasting (downshifting) to a stop (I have an automatic). I don't recall it when going over bumps, but I have a hard tonneau cover that rattles slightly when I do go over bumps, so that sound could have masked any clunking.

[This message has been edited by selva1 (edited 04-22-2000).]

 

jb, my truck does it when it downshifts, any gear. selva1, did your truck make the noise when going over bumps? I get the exact same noise when going over certain bumps. Makes me think it's the driveshaft.

 

Hobbit, I have a 99 5.4 w/ 12.5k miles, and have the same clunk when I dec. and then accel. on the highway.....it doesn't happen all the time, I just put it on my list to have the dealer look at next time I go in.

 

I think that there's more than one clunk noise in these trucks. The noise that mine makes is like a 'chunk' sound, only on downshift or going over some bumps. It sounds like the sound that you get when you rotate a rear wheel (with the car in the air) and then switch directions, kind of like a gear backlash noise. Or on some cars, if you twist the driveshaft by hand, you get that type of noise. It never does it on upshifts at all.

 

slapshot

Can't say it happens all the time, but it does happen alot. Usually with very light throttle, like when you let off the gas when traffic slows alittle then lightly press on the gas <clunk>. Damn annoying! I noticed alot of play in the steering shaft and when I rock the steering wheel back and forth with the key off it makes alot of noise. I expect the dealer will say "That is a normal operatin condition". Going to take it in soon.

Hobbit

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99 XLT,4.6L Auto,4X4,tow pkge,Factory Nerf Bars and Mudflaps, K&N filter,BugflectorII, Amazon Green/Silver, Pace Edwards Rolltop Cover, maybe a Superchip

 

I also have a clunk when I let off the throttle and I feel it when it downshifts at about 20 mph when I'm stopping. I've heard people saying it was a spline or slide yolk, but I got under my truck to check, and found that I don't have a slide yolk or spline. Probably because it's 2WD. I also noticed a little wet sludge on the output shaft of the tranny. Is this normal (auto trans. 30,000 mi. V6)?

 

If you can search the archives, I think I was one of the first to post about this problem. Mine cluncked at downshift around 22 mph on the money. At the time, there was no TSB about a reflash. Ford authoruzed a new tranny, transfer case, rearend gears and checked for loose bolts etc. Went to 2 dealers, was in at least 10 times. The only thing that made a difference was when they reprogrammed my computer. The noise went away for a while, then came back..They would not do it again. They should have, cause if it had the same results, then we might have been on to something. Ultimately, the Ford engineer came and said my truck was normal. BS!!!!! Once they say normal, they WILL NOT do any more work. My ultimate fix was to get a TRUCK!!!! I now drive a F350 PSD 4x4. Glad to hear they might have a tsb out for you guys now. I also had another noise over bumps, which ended up being the transfer case shifter. I had a 4x4, but with the manual shifter, not electric. That noise sounded like shaking a standard shifter in neutral. Good luck to all, and if you look in the archives, you may find the posts. I had a 98 f150 4x4 w 4.2l auto. Sorry about the novel!

 

Some please HELP!!! I just took my 99 F-150 2WD with 12K to the dealer for the same problem. After leaving it for the day I was told,"This is NORMAL OPERATION" BS! I'm new at this site so can someone please tell me what is a TSB and what options do I have on getting this fixed. Thanks

 

Dirtracker
TSB is a service bulletin Ford issues to all the dealerships when they have a fix for a problem.
I took my truck in for the "clunk" and was also told this was common. They said I need to give it time to " break in " ???


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I have the same downshift clunk. Try this: drive around with the OD off. I do this and the clunk is gone. The dealer I am going to thinks it may be related to the torque converter. Let me know if you guys get the same result.