that's what it feels like. when i throw my z28 into drive the whole body "clunks". and i can really feel it. and the same for when i throw it into reverse...it shakes once, really hard. i get really nervous now to put it in drive or reverse...what does that mean? should i keep it parked for now? is it hard to fix? ...more importantly...how much's it gonna cost my broke-a$$?

 

you need a new trans mount. buy a ES poly mount, they're bullet proof.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

When my tranny mount went out, I'd only hear it when I got on it pretty hard. Then between 1st and 2nd I'd get a really loud thump/clunk. I always thought that a clunk when you put the car into gear was a bad U-joint. Either way, both the u-joints and tranny mount are really easy to check. Just crawl under the car and if the rubber in the tranny mount is all cracked, then it's bad. As for the U-joints, just grab the driveshaft and see if it has a lot of freeplay up and down. That means bad u-joint. I got a stock replacement for my tranny mount 4 years ago and haven't had a problem with it. It cost $15. Course I put it in myself. And new u-joints are about $10 each. This shouldn't break your wallet either way.

 

OK, hmmm...

I had a similar problem with my '86. Thought it was the mount, split two in 500 miles. New ES poly trans mount and torque arm mount (kick *** ). Still clunks, just not when I step on it. OK, new u-joints. Hell, let's put 'em in a aluminum driveshaft while were at it. Nmmm...still clunks...

Uh, oh, trans blew! Rebuild the tranny, clutches, converter and all. Maybe that was a bad bushing in the trans. CLUNK! Guess not.

Rearend is whining. Uh,oh. Let's check the fluid...what fluid? OK, the play in the rear pinion and ring gear kind of worries me. Replace the rear with a 4thgen rear. HEY! Noise went away!

(hint-hint)

Anyway, I've heard 700-R4's can do that when going into gear because of worn bushings or odd line pressures. Personally, I never experienced the problem, and the trans is decently modified. I'd check the rear pinion (wiggle the yoke) and maybe the lash if you're willing to pull the cover. Hard to describe, but there should be just the slightest 'click' back and forth of the yoke, and no looseness. It should have some drag when you turn it, assuming the axles are out(at least they are when I check). Don't use parts store additives when you refill, use GM dealer stuff. BTW:check your drums (if you have them) and clean and adjust them while you're there if you haven't done it in awhile. Unadjusted rear drums aggrivate this problem, but don't cause it.

...let's add a new Borla exhaust...sounds good...aww,SH*T! The motor blew...time for a 350/383...

 

Oh yeah, that was the other time I heard my car go *CLUNK*. About 30 seconds before the rear end blew it's cookies all over the road. Blew it so bad I cracked the whole differential casing. Not to mention locked up the rear wheels and thrashed every single part inside, including my posi.