Noticeable Clunk When Putting Jeep into Drive or Reverse and Occasionally While Driving

[Wheelin98TJ]

That's normal slop. Almost nothing. Rear end slop is not the clunk. It's in the trans. Perhaps a trans guy can enlighten us on this. Like a dealer trans tech who has rebuilt one, I really don't know.

How are you sure it's in the transmission?

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[JTGuy]

If it was the rear diff there would be a clunk going back and forth from R to D. No clunk ever going to D. And it only does it once in the morning going to R. The symptoms and the TSB about the D clutch.

 

[Stan H]

How are you sure it's in the transmission?

Cause mine does it also and its in the transmission trust me

 

[BlackRuby23]

Is this not normal? I’m pretty sure they’re all like this.

I'm really not sure. All I know is I have a clunk, what looks to be excessive backlash, clunking at low speeds when on and off the throttle, and even a thunk when I take off from lights. I am thinking mine is in the rear diff, not the transmission. But, I DON'T KNOW.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

If it was the rear diff there would be a clunk going back and forth from R to D. No clunk ever going to D. And it only does it once in the morning going to R. The symptoms and the TSB about the D clutch.

Cause mine does it also and its in the transmission trust me

I'd want to rule out the rear driveshaft. I'd pull it and see if it still clunks without it.

 

[JTGuy]

I could just put the TC in N. Then do the cold start in the morning to see what happens. But with nothing connected to the trans there might not be a clunk.

 

[JTGuy]

I'm really not sure. All I know is I have a clunk, what looks to be excessive backlash, clunking at low speeds when on and off the throttle, and even a thunk when I take off from lights. I am thinking mine is in the rear diff, not the transmission. But, I DON'T KNOW.

I checked and there is little slop in the rear DS. I don't know if 4.88s would make a clunk more . Didn't do it when they were first installed and seems it would clunk when warmed up also.

 

[kevman65]

Known issue, check your rear caliper bolts for tightness.
They have come from the factory loose and people have lost bolts and the caliper is flopping around.

 

[jav_eee]

Known issue, check your rear caliper bolts for tightness.
They have come from the factory loose and people have lost bolts and the caliper is flopping around.

that clunk happens while braking. This is a different clunk.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

that clunk happens while braking. This is a different clunk.

Your foot is on the brake when you shift out of drive or into reverse.

 

[JTGuy]

I am thinking that if it ever misses a shift I will take it into the dealer for an oil change in the trans. Let them find the oil burned and parts in the pan. If they don't fix it I can say they did it .

 

[JTGuy]

Even after the long trip to Moab it still does it. Have found no one to have an answer for it .. Here is the testing done.
After an all night setting on level garage floor at first shift to R there is a noticeable clunk.
Will only do it one time.
no clunk in any other gear.
No excessive driveshaft play.
Shifts fine to all other gears
No CEL lights ever.
No slipping or missed shifts.
Just wondering if a reset by removing power could clear it? Is the problem mechanical or electronic? Is the clunk going to cause something to fail. Do all vehicles with the 8 speed do this?

 

[Mr._Bill]

Even after the long trip to Moab it still does it. Have found no one to have an answer for it .. Here is the testing done.
After an all night setting on level garage floor at first shift to R there is a noticeable clunk.
Will only do it one time.
no clunk in any other gear.
No excessive driveshaft play.
Shifts fine to all other gears
No CEL lights ever.
No slipping or missed shifts.
Just wondering if a reset by removing power could clear it? Is the problem mechanical or electronic? Is the clunk going to cause something to fail. Do all vehicles with the 8 speed do this?

Both my Gladiators with the auto trans have done this. The first one even had a recall to replace the drive shaft because it wasn't properly lubed when built. I remote start, for cabin comfort, which gets the fluid moving. I shift from Park to Neutral, then to Drive, and then to Reverse. That reduces the clunk. It only does it after sitting overnight.

 

[JTGuy]

Why does it not do it going into Drive? Only reverse. Only one time. Only when cold. Has anyone ever fixed this issue?

 

[NC_Overland]

Your D-Clutch is going bad in the transmission. TSB was issued on 9/10/2024

You read what he said? It’s done it since new. How would a part be going out when ore brand new? Mine did too from day one. It never got worse. I took it in several times under warranty and they said it’s normal. I just learned to put it in drive first on cold start up and it’s fine.

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