Slack in Driveline

[Rat]

When running at low speed in all gears (about 1k or a little more)
tapping the throttle quickly I get a noise(clunk) when the torque converter spins up to about 2k. Didn't do it when it was new but
dealership says that is normal just the torque converter locking up. Had reverse problems, they pulled trans and repaired and
put in rebuilt torque converter but did't help the slack. They say
everything checks ok. Any one else had this problem? My first
post, hope I'm in the right place.

Thanks:
Bob

[marchyde]

You are at the right place, these people have realy helped me and my dealership with answers. Just give them a little time to respond. My MM has been in the shop for 2 weeks now with numerous repairs & adjustments. It had been sitting on the lot for almost a year. I had to wait till they priced it where I could get it. My MM has 3K miles on it now and the dealership has rented me a loaner till repairs are completed. Once I get it back with the final work performed, I will post it for everyones info.

[jgc61sr2002]

Rat - Welcome to the site. Your definately in the right place. This is Marauder country, the best site on the net thanks to Logan and LML.:up:

[RCSignals]

I don't think you should be hearing a loud "clunk" but you should feel the torque converter lock up. Sometimes it's almost like it has shifted into another gear

[SergntMac]

Presuming you're still all "bone stock," I remember this problem from my first MM. My answer was to turn the OD off in city driving, under 40-50 MPH. This will cause no harm, just a slight impact on MPG. IMHO...1000-1500 RPM is too low an RPM to be running in OD in city traffic, and unlocking the TC at these speeds would cause the "clunk" you speak of because you're lugging the engine down. Try a drive around with the OD shut off, you should see the problem go away...IMHO.

[Rat]

It doesn't make any difference with Od locked out, it does it when
locked into second gear or 3rd I'm probably not explaining it right. If the car is basically coasting in any gear and the throttle is tapped there is a click or clunk sounds like steel to steel when the tach spins up to arrrox. 2k. This started when the car had
about 8k on it. Car is stock except K&N Filter. Bought a Superchips tuner but gear and speedo didn't work sent it back
in and waiting for that feature to be added. Had the same slack
with the Superchips Performance program installed. Dealerships in my area know nothing about a Marauder and if you call the hotline the only thing that they will tell you is how great a car that is.

Thanks:
Bob

[TAF]

My only reply would be a chip from Dennis...

How does that song go, RF?

'Call Dennis Reinhart...
That's the name...
And away goes bad shifts...
Down the drain..."

sung to the old Roto-Rooter tune, I think

[martyo]

Originally posted by TAF
sung to the old Roto-Rooter tune, I think

Brought to you by the resident sewer expert!

[Smokie]

The sound that you are describing reminds me more of a problem with u-joints or incorrect rear-end gears backlash then of a torque converter locking up, the key here is you said "it sounds metal-to-metal" the converter lock-up is more like something you "feel" while a "clunk" that you hear makes me suspect u-joints, rear-end or possibly the transmission mount. Good luck.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by martyo
Brought to you by the resident sewer expert!

D'OH!

(I'm just glad he's picking on someone ELSE for a change...)

:lol:

[martyo]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
D'OH!

(I'm just glad he's picking on someone ELSE for a change...)

:lol:

You should be flattered. I only pick on those that I love!

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Smokie
The sound that you are describing reminds me more of a problem with u-joints or incorrect rear-end gears backlash then of a torque converter locking up, the key here is you said "it sounds metal-to-metal" the converter lock-up is more like something you "feel" while a "clunk" that you hear makes me suspect u-joints, rear-end or possibly the transmission mount. Good luck.

I agree with Smokie, the added description of "metal to metal" indicates loosness in the drive line you should not have.

If you can get access to a lift that frees the tires, leave it in neutral and get under the car. Twist the driveshaft by hand and see where you can find play. There should not be very much. Start at the tail shaft and work backwards, and you should be able to narrow it down.

Be advised that there is a TSB on panther rear ends. Bad OEM bearings cause unusual and excessive premature wear on axels and pinion, some get noisy, others may just get lose. The TSB # is 03-05-55 (I think) and it calls for a rear end rebuild with new bearing and axels. Remember to shut off your air suspension before lifting the tires off the ground. Best wishes on this.

[RCSignals]

What you are describing sounds like my 1957 Ford with T85 and overdrive, when overdrive is engaged.

(I just sold that car, if anyone cares )

[jwheeler]

That sounds just like what my car has done since I had the 4.10's installed by Dennis. I to took it to a Ford Dealer(Did not want to take it to mine because of mods) and they to said it was normal. I had it up on a lift and could not determine if it coming up form the tranny or the rear end. I kind of thought it was the backlash , but I have not had it looked at yet. It is hard to ignore though for "being normal!"

Let me know what you come up with!

-J

[Rat]

Don't have much hope of getting it resolved Jw unless it breaks what I have found in the past with the dealerships in my area if it will still roll under it's own power that is natural or ok. I was told by the dealership where I bought it that the Marauder had the same set up as the F-250 and was the only two that Ford made that had that set up. Everything has supposedly been checked
Drivelline etc. If it did it shifting from Neutral to reverse or Drive I would say that it had a U-Joint out however that part of it is quiet. If I knew how to just break that part of it I would in a heart beat. They pulled the TRanny and replaced Reverse Drum
etc and changed the torque converter when I think all that was needed was the Linkeage adjusted. Very Disgusted

Thanks:
Bob

[Constable]

My MM has had that exact problem since the day I bought it. I never posted it here because I couldn't accurately describe the issue. I don't think it would be the backlash, though.... I had my 4.10's installed yesterday and the problem is still there. It's not ENTIRELY a sound, it's a FEEL as well. SergntMac's torque converter theory actually best described what I am feeling. My dealer tech, who I really trust (a true gear-head), affirmed that there was no problem.

[Topher]

I've noticed this a bit on my MM as well. My S-10 pickup also exhibits this, only more severely. If I coast down to a slow speed & then apply the accelerator again, there is a clunk, both heard and felt (on the S-10) Could it be a sloppy driveshaft U-joint? I haven't crawled underneath to check for play.

Chris

[Rat]

Everything has supposedly been checked on mine and according to Ford is ok. Had one Tech tell me he thought it was in the Tranny itself but Ford wouldn't do anything unless it broke. It
doesn't make any difference which gear it's in Overdrive locked out or not. Doesn't do it when shifting from Neutral to Drive or
Reverse. Can even be felt not heard at 60 mph in fourth. Don't look for any explanation until something comes out the side. Had one Tech idiot tell me that it was natural as new cars got a few miles on them that things just naturally started making noises. I had probably bought at least a half dozen new cars before he was ever born. Waiting on SuperChips to re-do my tuner and going to put 4.10's in next week. If something breaks I'll just fix it I guess.

Thanks:
Bob