Hi all,

Re my 1986 240 wagon, whenever I shift the auto transmission from any gear to another (e.g., from Park to Drive or Reverse) I get a definite clunking sound and feel with each shift. I don't think it's the kickdown pedal, which also clunks but does so a few seconds after I start moving. Or is it?

Clunking while shifting gears is not new at all; it's been doing it for a long time. I'm just wondering about it now because I drove someone else's 240 wagon recently and shifting was smooth and quiet. Should I worry about my transmission? Or is this merely a quaint idiosyncrasy that lends charm and character to my vehicle?

 

yeah, these AW70 transmission should be smooth. clunking is doing damage to the gears.

what kind of condition is the transmission fluid in? if its burnt and nasty and/or its low, it would be good to flush and replace it.

you can get clunks under the car when the driveshaft center bearing bushings are all worn out. this often makes kind of a growling noise when you're driving, too.

 

Transmission fluid is okay. No growling noise. The clunk is straight under the center console. Are you referring to the shift linkage bushings? Inexpensive fix?

 

the driveshaft center bearing is behind the transmission, and supports the driveshaft that comes out of the back of the tranny.

is the kickdown cable under the hood properly adjusted? this is connected to the throttle pulley, and when you step on the gas, it pulls the kickdown/control cable to the transmission. if its too tight, the transmission thinks you're hard on the throttle so it shifts harder, if its too loose shifts are sloppy.

 

No, the kickdown cable is not properly adjusted. So that's related to the other problem? (Looks like we're both up late here on the left coast.)

 

The kickdown cable does not affect shift "kick", only how late the transmission shifts...
Check your U joints, secondarily the transmission mount, change the fluid. But most likely the cause is that the transmission is just worn and there is slop in the gears...
Also, how high are the RPM? The lower they are, the less "kick"...

 

per a transmission shop, on the AW7x, the cable DOES effect how much pressure is put on the clutches when the transmission shifts. low pressure makes for slushy soft shifts, high pressure makes for harsh clunking shifts.

 

All the cable adjustment does is move the shift point to a lower or higher RPM. Shifting at a higher engine speed will "feel" harder for obvious reasons.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...