Clunk?

[S592R]

I'm getting a "clunk" sound right after I start the car up and put it in reverse. At first I thought it was a caliper sticking to the rotor, then thought it might be in the transaxle. But yesterday I was not rolling, I placed the car in gear then released the clutch with the car out of gear ...just sitting doing nothing the car made the sound. It seems to be coming from behind the drivers left side. Only one car is making this sound. Any ideas?

Only does it when its cold and after the car has sat over night. I am totally perplexed here confusedconfused

 

[w. mitty]

Is the air conditioner on when it makes the clunk? If so, leave it off and see if the clunk goes away. Mine makes a distinct clunk behind the drivers side when the compressor cycles on.

 

[S592R]

Is the air conditioner on when it makes the clunk? If so, leave it off and see if the clunk goes away. Mine makes a distinct clunk behind the drivers side when the compressor cycles on.

on or off does the same.

 

[GTNJ]

I'm getting a "clunk" sound right after I start the car up and put it in reverse. At first I thought it was a caliper sticking to the rotor, then thought it might be in the transaxle. But yesterday I was not rolling, I placed the car in gear then released the clutch with the car out of gear ...just sitting doing nothing the car made the sound. It seems to be coming from behind the drivers left side. Only one car is making this sound. Any ideas?

Only does it when its cold and after the car has sat over night. I am totally perplexed here confusedconfused

Mine does the same thing but with the car in reverse ... thought I hit something. :ack

I'm interested in the reponses.

 

[Neilda]

Cable sticking somewhere on the clutch? Releasing a fraction later than the pedal perhaps?

Just a guess....

 

[canuck]

Mine does the same clunck. Not sure what it is.

 

[soroush]

:confused Im glad Im not the only one with this issue. It sounds like a worn out U joint popping it only does it once when you start the car and as you let off the clutch for the first time to move the car forwards or reverse. I would like to know what it is as well, may be shadowman will chime in.

 

[paul b]

Motor mount?

 

[MAD IN NC]

Guaranteed not the "Motor Mount"..... see how they are made, where they are mounted and how they sit first... and if ya broke one you really had to totally screw up

 

[TACHY]

Have noted this also. Believe it is somehow related to AC being started while engine relatively cold.

 

[Not 4N]

Have noted this also. Believe it is somehow related to AC being started while engine relatively cold.

I'll second that. When I started mine this afterenoon and a/c was on, heard the clunk as soon as I started pulling out of the driveway.
Usually I have the a/c off when I start it and can honestly say I have never heard this before.

:shrug

 

[ViperJoe]

Mine does it but only if the car has been sitting for a few days after it's been washed. In this scenario, heavy oxidation (rust) builds up on the rotors seizing the brake pads to the rotors, hence the clunking sound.

 

[andymlow]

Mine too, only after a wash. I assumed it was some rusting of the rotors and also I think my tires stick to the epoxy floor a little when I park it wet.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I distinctly remember 1079's PARKING brake calipers releasing with a "clunk" a time or two upon engaging the clutch when leaving the garage (and it wasn't from rust. 'car was never washed. 'pistons were pbly slightly stuck in place). But, I never did hear a "clunk" when the car was simply SITTING THERE with the engine running. That beats the heck outta me.

(Never mind all th' "parking/washing" observations, HH, 'ICE, DP, Spirit, Jeeeeerzee, et al. :tap: :bang :tongue)

 

[canuck]

I have had the clunck after a wash as well but this is different.
You start the car and before it moves there is this clunck. I cannot remember if ac is on or if it happens after letting the clutch in after you start the engine.

 

[S592R]

thanks for all the hints and/or guesses. But here are a few points. I don't set the PB in the garage. When I wash the car usually her wheels come off for a complete dry (yes, I am that anal :biggrin). The car only does it when I am in reverse but to be honest I park it in the garage that way 95% of the time and don't recall if she has ever made the clunk moving forward. I will try a few times with and without the ac on to see if that might be it.

But to be honest I am glad a few other owners have seen this issue also ... I guess I will start to regard it as a quirk.

 

[Derry]

I have had this occaisionally forward or reverse when just starting out. Thought I damaged something, then I thought maybe the seat was not locked if. A month ago I had the axle bolt recall done and there were 2 broken bolts one on each side. The problem was never on every start up b4 but maybe 50% of the time. Since the bolt replacement I have not had the clunk happen and thought maybe that was the cause but I assume some of you have alraedy replaced the bolts?

 

[S592R]

yes, the bolts have been done. sorry guys but I check everything I can search on the forum usually before I post a techno-issue. :wink

 

[SFLGT]

My guess would be a/c also, but you said it was doing it with the a/c off as well. Double check and make sure it is with the a/c off. What happens is liquid freon will fill in the a/c manifold line on the outlet side of the a/c compresor. when the compresor is first started after sitting for a while the compresor must push that liquid freon out of the manifold line. The freon being forced out will cause a, sometimes very loud, thump noise and the line to shake for a second. This is a problem a number of other Fords especialy Expedition.

 

[S592R]

yeah I think its the AC system. I did not notice that the system is always on (my fan switch is "sensitive") so I took her for a run tonight and made sure the ac was off. Ran for ten minutes then turned on the AC ... Clunk was right there.

thanks guys! you're the best. :thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup