Asked by A driver, Young Harris GA
Clunk taking off from a stop
THE QUESTION
When I stop at a red light my transmission occasionally clunks when taking off again. It doesn't happen every time. What are the first things you would inspect before assuming the transmission itself is failing?
MIKE'S ANSWER
An intermittent clunk when taking off from a stop doesn't automatically mean the transmission is failing. In many cases, the source is somewhere else in the drivetrain. The key is determining where the movement is occurring before replacing any parts.
Here are the first things we'd inspect:
Engine and Transmission Mounts
Worn or broken mounts allow the engine and transmission to shift excessively when torque is applied.
Symptoms often include:
Clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse.
Clunk only when taking off from a stop.
Noticeable movement of the engine under load.
A failed mount can feel remarkably similar to an internal transmission problem.