Shifting into Park - clunk noise

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:29 am

Just wondering if this is a normal noise:

When I shift into Park I hear a clunk or knock.
Sounds like it comes from the rear of the Jeep.
Don't think it did it when brand new.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:53 am

Pretty sure mine does that but I think the sound comes from the middle of the Jeep. It tends to shift hard all around, I bought it used but had it checked out and was told this is normal. Two years and no problems....

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

It's pretty normal for the Jeep trans to make all kinds of "mechanical" noises when shifting.

Also, keep in mind that it is very, very bad to shift the gears while the wheels are still rolling even though it is an automatic.

EagleVT94 · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:52 pm **Posts:** 64

I am not sure if you are describing the same issue, but there is a known 'clunk' when you go from Park to drive when you start up to head out if you didn't engage the parking brake while in Neutral.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:42 pm

USPLibby wrote:

It's pretty normal for the Jeep trans to make all kinds of "mechanical" noises when shifting.

Also, keep in mind that it is very, very bad to shift the gears while the wheels are still rolling even though it is an automatic.

It's ok to shift into "1" and "2" while moving isn't it?

My procedure is to stop, go to neutral, pull up the parking brake and lift my foot off brake to let the vehicle settle, then shift to park. When I shift to park there is a pretty good "clunk" sound from the rear.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

shifting into 1 and 2 is just limiting the same set of forward gears, so it's perfectly ok.

Shifting into Drive while your Jeep is still moving backwards or vice versa = bad. I see my co-workers and friends do this all the time, they don't really care.

Oh, if it's coming from the rear, it could be the LSD in the differential or a loose shock.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:00 pm

USPLibby wrote:

shifting into 1 and 2 is just limiting the same set of forward gears, so it's perfectly ok.

Shifting into Drive while your Jeep is still moving backwards or vice versa = bad. I see my co-workers and friends do this all the time, they don't really care.

Oh, if it's coming from the rear, it could be the LSD in the differential or a loose shock.

Ok. I thought shifting into "1" and "2" was ok while moving, so glad to hear I haven't been screwing it up.

How about the clunk? Is there anything wrong with my parking procedure that would cause it:

My procedure is to stop, go to neutral, pull up the parking brake, then lift my foot off brake to let the vehicle settle, then shift to park. When I shift to park there is a pretty good "clunk" sound from the rear.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

What is the reason for using the parking brake? I just hit the brake pedal, stop pause for maybe a couple seconds then shift.

There is a trick to get the LSD to activate using the parking brake, maybe it's related.

My dad used to have a Toyota 4 runner with LSD in the rear that he sold to my friend. It used to make clunking noises quite often, usually while slowing down or turning. It has close to 300k now, and still works fine.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:17 pm

USPLibby wrote:

What is the reason for using the parking brake? I just hit the brake pedal, stop pause for maybe a couple seconds then shift.

There is a trick to get the LSD to activate using the parking brake, maybe it's related.

My dad used to have a Toyota 4 runner with LSD in the rear that he sold to my friend. It used to make clunking noises quite often, usually while slowing down or turning. It has close to 300k now, and still works fine.

I read somewhere that you should let the jeep settle against the parking brake, and then shift into park. That way the weight of the vehicle is not being held by the transmission. Supposed to be a little healthier for the transmission. I don't know if it's true or not, but it sounded pretty reasonable to me.

I thought we didn't have an LSD on the Liberty.

carroll952 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:36 pm

JohnnyCash wrote:

USPLibby wrote:

What is the reason for using the parking brake? I just hit the brake pedal, stop pause for maybe a couple seconds then shift.

There is a trick to get the LSD to activate using the parking brake, maybe it's related.

My dad used to have a Toyota 4 runner with LSD in the rear that he sold to my friend. It used to make clunking noises quite often, usually while slowing down or turning. It has close to 300k now, and still works fine.

I read somewhere that you should let the jeep settle against the parking brake, and then shift into park. That way the weight of the vehicle is not being held by the transmission. Supposed to be a little healthier for the transmission. I don't know if it's true or not, but it sounded pretty reasonable to me.

I thought we didn't have an LSD on the Liberty.

There isn't an LSD on your Liberty. They stopped putting the trak-loc LSD, starting with the 2006s. That's what all the "traction control" is for.

Justin

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:24 pm

JohnnyCash wrote:

I read somewhere that you should let the jeep settle against the parking brake, and then shift into park. That way the weight of the vehicle is not being held by the transmission. Supposed to be a little healthier for the transmission. I don't know if it's true or not, but it sounded pretty reasonable to me.

I thought we didn't have an LSD on the Liberty.

You are correct. Its not good to leave alot of torque on the drivetrain when parking. Its best to ALWAYS use the parking brake. I keep mine adjusted so that it holds the jeep correctly. It only take 3clicks for it to be tight.

Shifting into Park - clunk noise

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