88 DX - Clunk

My car is an 88' Civic DX Auto Tranny.

I believe the tranny is in reasonable condition, the fluid looks and smells fine. I flushed it and replaced with Honda ATF yesterday and it has smoothed out the gear changes a *lot*, feels great to drive now :)

I also had all three engine mounts (front, rear and passenger side) replaced yesterday (cost a pretty penny :( ) to try to solve this problem but it is still there -- although it does occur much less often and the car feels much steadier (less shift noise).


The noise is comming from the front end, its a metalic deep "clunk" sound which I can hear and 'feel'.


I can make the noise happen by accelerating from a stop, and then just before it goes to change gear I lift my foot off the gas and and it then goes "CLUNK".

I can also make the noise happen sometimes just by accelerating through to 4th gear and then slowing down quickly (to 1st/2nd).

It only ever makes this sound changing down, and only in 1st/2nd.. gear changes are smoooth.


I read that there is a transmission mount which is seperate to the 3 engine mounts? could this be it? :(
If its not that, it must be comming from the drive chain somewhere, as it is highly dependant on engine load (for eg. it would never happen if I am rolling up a hill slowing down).


There is no noise turning corners at high speeds (so dont think its CV joint).

Please help!

Update --

Just went for a drive and listened carefully, the noise doesn't actually allways seem to occur at a gear change.

It also happens sometimes when I give it a good bit of gas, and then quickly hop off the accelerator (no gear change happpening I dont think..??)

BRR it sounds nasty :(

Ya, kinda sounds like a mount, or something when the engine torques it's hitting something. You also may want to check everything that connects to the engine, like exhaust and shift linkage, when the engine torques front to back, those move, and if they are loose somewhere, that might make the noise as well. Just some ideas.

Ya, kinda sounds like a mount, or something when the engine torques it's hitting something. You also may want to check everything that connects to the engine, like exhaust and shift linkage, when the engine torques front to back, those move, and if they are loose somewhere, that might make the noise as well. Just some ideas.I had my mechanic replace all 3 engine mounts yesterday though and although it occurs less often, its still happening.

Maybe he didn't replace them properly or something? :S

:(

Ya, or there is another mount that isn't listed as a motor mount. 6th gen civics have like 5-6 mounts, but only 4 are actual mounts.

Looking in the Helm manual there is a left (drivers) side engine mount which wasn't replaced.

Could this be it? FFS this cost me $300 parts + $130 labour

I agree with 4G4D Store. This sounds like something getting snagged during torque load. If your auto shifted like crap I'd say the torque converter was shot but you said it's smooth and the noise doesn't always happen during shifts. I'd say take it back to your mechanic and if he's any kind of good businessman he won't charge you anything to have the car inspected on a lift with you watching. GL

Guys, I had a look at the car today, will be taking it back to the mechanic (and a seperate Honda specialist mechanic later in the week), but 2 things:

I noticed a transmission mount on the drivers side which looks very old but I do not know how to tell the condition of it or whether it would be causing this. Nor do I understand why this was not replaced with the other moundts.. but anyway.

Seccondly, I noticed my CV boot is split on the drivers side, a worn CV joint wouldn't be causing these symptoms would it? I thought they make a "clicking" noise or a clunking noise when cornering? I get no cornering noises..