Noise When Transmission Shifts Into Overdrive

[Jperry]

My 2009 Forester 3121DS has developed a noticeable noise when downshifting into overdrive. Hard to describe but it's like a clunk or a scraping sound. It runs and shifts fine otherwise. This is the Ford F450 with the Triton V10 and around 49k miles. Transmission fluid level is good. Anyone ever had a similar issue or have any advice?

[ejohnson1144]

Check u joints

Sent from my LG-H910 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[TimVWulp]

Originally Posted by ejohnson1144

Check u joints

Sent from my LG-H910 using Forest River Forums mobile app

2 X Check The drive shaft U Joints.

Have you changed the transmission fluid? Is the transmission fluid red still or is it brown/black? Brown/black is bad and needs to be changed. Check your owners manual for service intervals on fluid changes.

[Jperry]

Good idea on the U-joints - will check those. The previous owner had the tranny fluid changed around 30k, and it shouldn't need it again until 60k. The levels look good and it is bright red as it should be. Thanks for the responses!

[Steveboe]

It’s easy to slide under and give the u joints a look. Do that with wheels blocked and brake set with trans in neutral. Twist and shake the drive shaft while looking for play in the joints.
Also drop the tranny pan and look for anything larger than dust particals in the pan and on the filter. Change the filter and carefully refill with the right fluid.
One step farther is to remove the appropriate trans cooler line and slip a hose over that to drain into a bucket. With help, start the engine and add fluid to trans as the old fluid from tourqe converter flows out into the bucket. When fresh fluid is flowing out, stop the engine, reconnect the line and adjust fluid level.
Bingo full trans service for the cost of materials.
Dispose of old fluid at your parts store.
Of course if you find bits and pieces in your pan, get the transmission checked out by a good transmission shop.

[raytwntrvlr]

Originally Posted by Steveboe

It’s easy to slide under and give the u joints a look. Do that with wheels blocked and brake set with trans in neutral. Twist and shake the drive shaft while looking for play in the joints.
Also drop the tranny pan and look for anything larger than dust particals in the pan and on the filter. Change the filter and carefully refill with the right fluid.
One step farther is to remove the appropriate trans cooler line and slip a hose over that to drain into a bucket. With help, start the engine and add fluid to trans as the old fluid from tourqe converter flows out into the bucket. When fresh fluid is flowing out, stop the engine, reconnect the line and adjust fluid level.
Bingo full trans service for the cost of materials.
Dispose of old fluid at your parts store.
Of course if you find bits and pieces in your pan, get the transmission checked out by a good transmission shop.

Holy Cow... that's a pretty long list of DIY items.
I like the last one best: "get the transmission checked out by a good transmission shop."

[18CrewDually]

Are you sure it's not a rattle? Under load in OD it may develop harmonics that can carry out through the heat shields and rattle.

[bareftn]

Going into overdrive is a upshift are you saying when in overdrive a down shift is Depending on how many gears you have is OD then 4th ,then 3 then 2 and so on. Do you get the noise when in park and shift into a gear like forward or reverse?

[Jperry]

Originally Posted by bareftn

Going into overdrive is a upshift are you saying when in overdrive a down shift is Depending on how many gears you have is OD then 4th ,then 3 then 2 and so on. Do you get the noise when in park and shift into a gear like forward or reverse?

Good point! Technically I guess I would have to say it happens on the downshift coming out of overdrive back into 4th gear as I accelerate or it starts up a hill. And this is the only time I hear it, it shifts out of park into drive and into reverse just fine with no noise whatsoever.

There seems to be minimal to no play in the drive shaft when I try to wiggle it, so I don't think it's a u-joint problem. Also, in response to the question about a rattle, it is definitely not that - it's more of a clunk/scrape sound that's hard to describe!

[bshort]

Torque converter problem.

[Jperry]

Originally Posted by bshort

Torque converter problem.

Sounds like a visit to a good tranny shop is in the cards!