Clunk Thread - in higher gears with MT

Hey, Folks.

I searched and read threads about driveline clunks that happen under braking, 2nd to 1st shifts in autos, and some about axle wrap.

I'm feeling a clunk in 5th or 6th gear when going on and off of light throttle. I don't know if this is just a truck thing or if it is a problem.

If I missed a thread about this, can you please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

 

I believe it is just slop in the driveline, felt the same as you're describing on my truck too.

 

There will always be a clunk when going on and off light throttle in a manual. I have it in my 2017, my 1984 had it, my 1978 Chevy had it, my 1995 Dodge Dakota had it. It is inherent because of driveline design. No big deal. In a manual, you have no torque converter like you have in an automatic. You either have torque by applying the throttle or you don't. There is no middle. In an automatic, you let off the throttle there is a gradual (meaning less than a second, but still not instant) decrease.

 

Our only other manuals were FWD, so there wasn't as many connections between the engine and wheels.

I'm fine with it as along as it is normal and a truck thing. Just checking. I run my bike chains on the loose side of the slack spec and can usually stop the clank with smooth throttle. Still working on it with the new Taco, I suppose.

I drove a Silverado with 120k for a friend a couple months ago. That thing was clanking all over the place and was very much worse than this. I would have guessed it was time for new joints in that. It was well cared for (ie clean), but mechanically, it was dead compared to the 2007 Taco that I test drove with 141k on it.

Thanks for the help.

 

Im going to check the grease my ujoints. It doesnt happen every time. I had the same issue in my 2013 6mt and had to add grease. That solved the random clunk in that so i should help in the 2017.

 

The 17's have sealed u joints.
The clunking is normal.

 

Thats just dumb. I had to actually walk out and check. I guess i will be replaving them with greasable ones. The clunk shouldn't be considered normal by any means.

 

It's not that bad, sealed are structurally stronger than greasable and it really isn't hard to pull a driveshaft and replace u joints way down the line when they need it.

 

Yeah i know. From what i have heard they dont come with enough grease in them though. Im glad there only 20 bucks to replace.

 

i don't have a clunk and never have had it. what you guys are describing, like on the highway off & on the throttle, feels to me like a subtle snap. feels like a good engagement on a driveline with no slop. the snap is light and very tight feeling, but i still come on the throttle nice and easy to minimize it although there's nothing suggesting an issue.

 

Um, it is. Every single MT truck I have ever driven does it, and I have drove many trucks. Also, your sealed U joint is much better than when you forget to grease yours lol.

 

Well my ram 1500 with a 5 speed never had the clunk . My send gen did but it was gone after i greased it. Now my old silverado did it but i chucked that one up to it being a 78. I always make sure to service them every oil change as well.

 

My 04 does it and it drives me nuts, but it is what it is. For me it's most noticeable in the torquey lower gears (1-2, 2-3). When I grease the u-joints it calms down noticeably. Not sure if the newer Tacos have greaseable U-joints, but if they do...grease them up every 3-5k

 

The second gen manuals had greaseable joints. This 3rd gen doesnt.

 

Well that's lame, thought I read somewhere that the manuals did or at least had a few on one end of the driveshaft or the other. Wonder how they're supposed to hold up over time.

 

It's not "dumb" it's normal... when two metal pieces touch they will make a sound. The clunk is more pronounced if your shift is lousy.. Sometimes i'll shift too early or sometimes it's just right, but i let off the clutch too fast and there's a light clunk. my 86 HJ 5MT clunks and so does my 17 6MT Taco as well as my neighbors 12' 4cyl 5MT..

 

And its not "normal" either.

 

I will get a small clunk when going into 5th or 6th sometimes, but I was mainly asking about going on and off the gas while already in gear.

First truck. Just checking if it is a problem or a normal thing.

 

Well dang. The leaves have settled a bit. I had to put a few turns on the U-bolts to get them to 70ft-lbs.

I haven't tested it yet and am not expecting this to end the clunk. But, you never know.

 

Not all the u joints are covered. I was able to grease 3 of mine, IIRC.