Clang noise when putting car into gear

Hello, I've got a 71 maverick, 200-6, c4 auto. With the car running, whenever I shift into reverse or into drive(or manual 1st) I hear a loud PING come from the trans, I've been told that It is my u-joints, although with the car park and with my rear joint removed, simply pushing the car while in park will cause the car to move about an inch and then PING goes the trans.

Car shifts nice and precise/firm with no flare or stumble. Car drives well accept for when I get to about 45mph and through to 55mph i get a drivetrain vibe that can be felt in the wheel and dash. I have been told it is either a torque converter or alignment issue. I have been given another c4(no clutches, missing a few things) that i may be able to use for parts. For the ping noise, what should I look for? Car is down for a new Master cylinder so i can be patient.Could my planetaries be toast?

 

what do you mean with the rear u joint removed ((thats with the driveline not hooked up ?))

and with the driveline not hooked up the car would rool away without the Ebrake on because the trans is not stoping it from moving so if the driveline is not hooked up then it cant be the trans because the driveline is not hooked up when you push the car

is it a piiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnngggggggggg or a ping


it does sound like a u-joint problem

 

I'm with...302-72-mav...without the driveshaft hooked up it must be a ...wheel bearing/brake/rearend issue...

...Frank...

 

Exhaust pipe? doubt it, but check tranny mount also.

 

double check exhaust manifolds. had the same thing on a 85 stang.

 

sorry, i typed wrong, i can hand turn the driveshaft with it disconnected from the differential, and with everything hooked up it goes ping when i push the car. what are the part numbers for the U joints? I will try those since they are cheap. today I will try to remove my driveshaft and hand-turn the part that is still in the trans to see if the problem went away.

 

Having a loud metalic clang when you put the car in gear does not sound like a ujoint to me. The transmission may be torquing into the exhaust causing the clang. Check your mounts first. If they are in good shape then remove the transmission and inspect the flex plate (the flywheel used on an automatic). It may have a crack that allows it to flex with a sudden engagement. It may be hard to find so look closely at it. If you don't see any cracks then remove it and inspect the mounting holes on both the torque converter and crank mount surfaces. If they are "egg shaped" then you may have located your problem.

With some help you may be able to trace the noise with a stethoscope.

 

my buddys dad had a pinging noise every time he put it into gear (drive reverse ) and it would do it when he was leaving a stop signs and it was his u-joints

and the u-joints were in very bad shape

get the beter u-joints if you plan on driving it hard // i broke a u-joint and the driveline dropped and drug the ground then i took it to a driveline shop to have it fixed and shortened ( for the t5 trans ) good thing i was right down the street 60 yards when i droped the clutch and it broke then i coasted it into the driveway

 

U-joint was my first thought too. You can get a loud metalic clang from a drive line when there are no bearings left in the caps. It comes from the trunion slapping the u-joint cap when you put it in gear. I have destroyed my share of them and I have heard the noise many times.

Put the rear on stands with the parking brake off and see if the drive shaft moves at the joints, if they are worn to the point of making noise it will be obvious. If not do as Paul recomended and check the mounts.....scratch that check the mounts any ways, the car is old enough it would be a good idea.

 

All transmissions and differentials wear with age. This causes back lash which will cause a clanging noise when put in gear.

 

Well, front u-joint fell apart in my hand while removing it for inspection, practically no needles left in it! New one goes in tomorrow night. Hopefully my drivetrain vibe will go away too now.

 

well at least it's not a trans or rear end problem

 

I have the same sound when shifting into D and reverse...How is your car now that you installed new u joints? This is any easy fix and just wanted to know if IT was actually the problem. I also wanted to know if you had issues with the car slipping into 3rd/D. My 73 Mav will slip if driving normal speeds but if I am driving fast, from a dead stop, it won't slip.

 

For that slipping, I would replace the vacuum modulator. My Mustang was slipping at light throttle from first to second gear and after replacing the vacuum modulator it doesnt slip anymore

 

Will try that tomorrow...thanks!