Ford tranny "clank"

[4Gcampers]

We have a brand new 2014 Sunseeker with the E450. Does anyone else hear and feel a "clank" sound when shifting the van into Park? Seems to do it every time when going from D or R into park. I've only had Toyota trucks so not sure if this is typical.

[bclemens]

I've never noticed anything when shifting and as a factory rep I drive a ton of them.

[4Gcampers]

Yikes. That wasn't what I wanted to hear.

[parker21]

Mine "clanks" also. Always thought it was a normal sound. Its a 2011, 3100SS Sunseeker.

[niedobry1]

Ours clanks also 2010 3100SS

[4Gcampers]

Sounds like there are others. Are you able to feel it in column shifter? Mine kind of clinks into park but you feel in the column. Lots moving parts with that drivetrain.

[zook]

Mine clanks as well.. normal Ford sound.. 2012 3120DS.

[ATVer]

Mine clanks also when shifting on an incline. Seemed normal to me as I have heard it on other heavy Ford vehicles.

[RamblerGuy]

Our 2011 Sunseeker 3100 (2010 Ford E-450 chassis) sometimes clanks when I shift it into park. It's the driveshaft, which is quite long and has several intermediate supports. When in drive or reverse, the driveshaft is tight against any slack. When you engage park, it sort of recoils to its unloaded position. As long as you are fully stopped when you shift into park, don't worry about it. If you are still rolling and it clanks, let it be a reminder to don't do that! You could probably prevent it by shutting the engine off with it still in drive or reverse, then putting it into park. That way there would be no tension on the driveshaft when you shift it.

[4Gcampers]

Well that makes perfect since. I thought it sounded like it may be coming from the font end of the drive shaft. That's a good point about trying it with engine off. I'll try that in the am. At least others hear it too. I called my dealer who said I should get it to ford, they never have heard of it before.

[RamblerGuy]

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

Our 2011 Sunseeker 3100 (2010 Ford E-450 chassis) sometimes clanks when I shift it into park. It's the driveshaft, which is quite long and has several intermediate supports. When in drive or reverse, the driveshaft is tight against any slack. When you engage park, it sort of recoils to its unloaded position. As long as you are fully stopped when you shift into park, don't worry about it. If you are still rolling and it clanks, let it be a reminder to don't do that! You could probably prevent it by shutting the engine off with it still in drive or reverse, then putting it into park. That way there would be no tension on the driveshaft when you shift it.

Correction: There may be a little tension on the driveshaft even in neutral. The clutches in an automatic transmission are running in trans fluid so there's some hydrodynamic friction that will transfer the rotation of the parts. It's not enough to move the car but it will turn the driveshaft if the wheels are off the ground. We have to shut the engine off on our Pathfinder to shift from 4wd high to 4wd low because of this. Engaging the driveshaft disconnect after towing it is likewise tricky. And sometimes embarrassingly loud.

[mwebber78]

Normal... Mine has done it since new. Classic Ford cut-away chassis sound having driven rental box vans.

[OldCoot]

Don't know about Fords, but Chevy's will do it if the slip joints on the driveshaft get dry. A little bit of spray lithium grease on the splines stops it.

[paulmlac]

Glad this got posted as I've wondered about it too. Sounds like I'm not alone. I asked the Ford dealer when I was in for an oil change and he said it was normal. He mentioned something about the vehicle being longer as the reason but I really didn't understand so might have missed what he meant to say.