Thread: Gear Change Clunk

The classic problem is the a frame ball joint - just did mine and fixed the problem...

But would it shag out so quick with yours been an 08 model? The joint I changed was probably the original from 1985.

Could it be a problem with the electronic throttle ????

Originally Posted by danske

HI

With all the specific issues that these cars can be expereinecing , I am a little concerned that this may be a recall job ( under warranty etc ) or does this exist on all Defenders of that type.

Your 08 Deefer should not have a clunk when changing gears - definitely not normal.

Does it happen on initial take off? Could be slack in the drive train or bushes as well as ball joint..

My 2010 does this as well - it is more noticable when the car is warmed up or on a warmer day! When you first take off it isn't too bad but say after a few hours running it is there quite noticably.

mine did it really bad when I first got mine..when I had the clutch changed out gear changes were heaps better, but the clunk which sounds like the take up of drive line slack was also improved. but they also did some shimming of the transfer case I believe which if they did I think also helped a lot. still get it occasionally but no where near as much.

My A frame is solid by the way..

I will ask the question next service . I'd say mine was worse as it warmed up too. Should be a warranty thing then.

I'm due for a service in about 1000km, so I will ask as well.

mine is just out of warranty and when I change gear it's like i'm getting rear ended by a mini, my rear balljoint is a beautiful thing but and is nearly as good as the day it left the factory

Clunk on gear changing is usually the result of both free play somewhere in the drive train and drag on the hand brake.

There is always free play in the drive train after the gearbox - spline joints at about sixteen locations (may have miscounted), end play on planet gears in three differentials, end play on the transfer idler gears, plus any play in the axle locating links (where there shhould not be any!). In normal circumstances, when you disengage the clutch to change gears, the drive bits keep turning at the same speed as each other, since the only significant braking effect is the wheels slowing, so assuming you were providing power before the change, the slack remains taken up in the drive direction.

But if the handbrake is dragging, even slightly, as soon as you disengage the clutch, the slack is immediately taken up in the overrun direction, so that when you take it up in the drive direction when re-engaging the clutch there is a clunk. This braking effect is not necessary to get a clunk if there is free play in the axle locating links however, and it is always possible to induce a clunk by bad driving anyway.

So first check - make sure the handbrake is not dragging - go for a drive, stop and feel the handbrake drum - should be no hotter than the prop shaft. (careful, it may be hot!). For a better check, chock the vehicle, jack up one back wheel, release the handbrake and check that the prop shaft turns freely. If it still clunks, look for free play in any of the axle locating links.

John