Possible transmission noise in neutral from a coast to a stop

[videobruce]

'05 Chevy Classic (not Malibu) when I shift from drive in neutral just before I come to a stop ther is a slight 'clunk' that can be felt just as the car actually stops. Only under these circumstances does this happen and only in forward.
If I do this from reverse to neutral then stop, nothing. Nor is there anything in drive when I stop.

I listened to 2 other Classics' one one it appeared as noticeable, but there was a problem with the brakes (clunking noise each time I stopped) so I really couldn't tell on one and the other it was only very slightly noticeable.

Before anyone asks why I do this, habit. I back into my driveway from the opposite side of the street (direction). I coast up to in front of the house, shift into neutral, stop and back in. Done this for 20 years with nothing as this with three other cars and never heard this on anything else I have ever driven.

The dealer says it's the flywheel/drivetrain coming to a stop with no pressure from the transmission to secure it (not the exact words). They also say they didn't recomend this for all that will probably say the same thing.
My concern is; could this be some other problem that hasn't surfaced yet since my warrenty is almost up?

Hope that made sense.

[rodeo02]

Kind of non-typical circumstances to make the vehicle do this. I'd guess that it's just backlash you are feeling/hearing from the differential (built into the transaxle.) If it did it from every gear selection I'd be concerned. The 4T45E is great trans.

Joel

[videobruce]

I understand, but AFAIC it shouldn't do it. No other car that I have driven did including the regular Malibu of the same year.

[locovaca]

My fiance's 98 Malibu does the same thing. I drive a stick shift and shift to neutral when going up to a light/down hill by habit, and I get the thud at about 5 mph or so. I too am curious on why only the Malibu (or at least this transmission/engine) exhibits this. How does everyone else do it that Chevy decided not to follow?

[videobruce]

I don't think the xmission in yours is the same as what;s here since it itsn't the same motor. Especially considering the time span, it would be hard to imagine it would be the same design.
I have tried it on other 'Classics' and find the same thing to varying degrees. This isn't with the 'Mailbu' of the same year.

I did ask a service departemnt about this. They said it was normal stateing since there is no 'pressure' against the drivetrain what I'm hearing/feeling is (don't remember the name) coming to a stop when the car does. I really didn't understand him since I don't know xmission terminology very well. He also said it wasn't recomended since it puts additional wear on the system.
I couldn't understand why relieving the touque/pressure/slippage (when stopped) between the motor and the transaxle would increase wear.

[locovaca]

Originally Posted by videobruce

I don't think the xmission in yours is the same as what;s here since it itsn't the same motor. Especially considering the time span, it would be hard to imagine it would be the same design.
I have tried it on other 'Classics' and find the same thing to varying degrees. This isn't with the 'Mailbu' of the same year.

I did ask a service departemnt about this. They said it was normal stateing since there is no 'pressure' against the drivetrain what I'm hearing/feeling is (don't remember the name) coming to a stop when the car does. I really didn't understand him since I don't know xmission terminology very well. He also said it wasn't recomended since it puts additional wear on the system.
I couldn't understand why relieving the touque/pressure/slippage (when stopped) between the motor and the transaxle would increase wear.

Do you have an I4? As far as I knew the engines were identical between 04-05 Classics and 97-03 Malibus.

As for a Malibu of the same year (as your classic), that would've been an entirely different platform and different engine (they went to Epsilon in 2004), so I wouldn't expect it to happen unless it's was a more common problem across various powertrains. An '05 Classic would share nothing in common with an '05 Malibu, but it is essentially the same as the 97-03 Malibus. They're all the same platform.

Unless, of course, I'm totally misinformed...

[videobruce]

I have a 2.2L 4 cyl, not the 2.4L that was available before '99. Chevy disco'ed the 4cyl. in 2000. This is the Ecotech.

I just looked in a Hayes manual for the '97 to '03 "Malibu" and the xmission is either the 4T40E or the 4T45E which are the same for the '04 & '05 "Classic" according the the Helm factory manual which surprises me since the engines are different.

How can the exact same xmission be used for two different 4 cyls. & a 6 cyl. engine? Just by the design of the engine it would require at least and different shell for the xmission. Logic would state it should be at least be a slightly different number.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by videobruce

How can the exact same xmission be used for two different 4 cyls. & a 6 cyl. engine? Just by the design of the engine it would require at least and different shell for the xmission. Logic would state it should be at least be a slightly different number.

The 4T45E is also used in some 3.5L V6 equipped GM's. The bellhousing is setup to accommodate the ecotecs and the V6's. Been that way for years.

Joel

[videobruce]

Thanks for that. It's just that one would think it would have a slightly different model number even with just a "bellhousing" change.

What's the difference between the 40 and the 45 xmissions?

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by videobruce

What's the difference between the 40 and the 45 xmissions?

Mostly electronics changes. the 4T45E has pulse width modulated torque converter locking where the 40's were a solenoid actuated on/off setup.

Joel

[videobruce]

According to the Hayes SM, the 40 has 200 lb ft of torque and the 45 has 215 lb ft which would tell me the 40 was for the 2.2L and the 45 for the V6.