Auto Park To Reverse Clunking

[Clapper]

I just recently bought a MkII XR6 Turbo, in Auto.

I just have a concern at the moment.

Whenever I place the car in PARK, and it rolls a bit while in PARK. Then when I place the car in REVERSE, the car makes a loud 'clunking' sound from about the rear of the car. It is quite loud.

I just drove a auto Falcon stationwagon, and it's no where as bad as my XR6T.

I was just wondering if any other XR6T owners have the same experience as I do with this particular situation. Is it common?

I realise the handbrake will stop the car from rolling while in PARK, but it still seems abnormal to me.

Other than this, the car is going great. But it's a concern.

[Logsie]

The clunking between gears is normal .With the handbrake some people have had some issuse as to it not holding after a few months and have to get it retightened I havent had this drama yet, but this issue has been spoken about in previous forums

I hope this helps

[slikxr6t]

Depending on the angle it's parked on, mine is often difficult to shift from park to reverse and makes a loud clunk when forced. Has done it since new. Doesn't happen too often so I can't say I've worried about it much.

[C.S.I]

I would have thought that it was to be expected.

If you put the car into park on any sort of slope, then let the car 'roll' before applying the handbrake, then the auto lock will take all the tension. When then moving out of P, obviously into reverse, as its the next gear, you will get a knock as the tension is released.

I wouldnt worry about it.

Try applying the handbrake at the same time as using P.

[maximum_velocity]

Easy way to fix this is when your parking your car first shift the tranny into Netural then rip up the handbrake. Take your foot off the brake now and then slide it into Park. I bet there will be no clunking sound, it happened to dad in his territory so he tried that procedure and now it dosent make the noise.

[CHIPS]

  Clapper said:

I just recently bought a MkII XR6 Turbo, in Auto.

I just have a concern at the moment.

Whenever I place the car in PARK, and it rolls a bit while in PARK. Then when I place the car in REVERSE, the car makes a loud 'clunking' sound from about the rear of the car. It is quite loud.

I just drove a auto Falcon stationwagon, and it's no where as bad as my XR6T.

I was just wondering if any other XR6T owners have the same experience as I do with this particular situation. Is it common?

I realise the handbrake will stop the car from rolling while in PARK, but it still seems abnormal to me.

Other than this, the car is going great. But it's a concern.

The reason your sedan is worse than a wagon, is because a wagon has a live axle and your sedan has independant rear suspension. With a live axle, you don't have 2 CV joints either side of the diff center, so you don't have nearly as much driveline back-lash (back-lash is what causes the "clunk"), also a wagon has a one piece drive shaft, also reducing the backlash.

Hope this makes sense

It's undesireable, but fairly normal.

[bugster70]

Ditto to all the above, mine does exactly the same, more pronounced when parked on a slope. I've also had to have the handbrake adjusted. :(

I'll take V8_FRD's tip - seems like a bit of a tedious process but I'm sure it's something you'd get used to fairly quickly.

[Clapper]

Thanks for the replies guys, you've put my mind at rest.

[Turbo6man]

Clapper> Put simply mate you are not operating the car correctly - thank DOG for autos, the allmighty saviour for those who don't know how to drive.

Sorry, just couldn't let a chance slip by

On that note and after your quick initiation to the forums mate. Oh, when Ken gets in the initiation will really begin!! I was just filling in during his absence.

PS When parking a vehicle with an auto transmission the handbrake should be firmly applied BEFORE placing the selector in P (that's P for PARK). Upon starting the vehicle the foot brake should be firmly applied BEFORE releasing the handbrake and moving the selector from P.

PPS It's all in the handbook ...

[tab]

There is a hole in your theory though Jeff - you usually don't use the handbrake as it either (a)doesn't work or (b)screams like a b!tch after it has been applied!

And I must say I'm surprised you are aware of the proper technique for an auto........surely you have never driven one.

Trent.