Ratcheting sound, shifting out of reverse.

I have noticed a few times now, my truck will make a ratcheting sound (a quick series of clicks), when I shift out of reverse. No jerking or other symptoms. It doesn't always do it. And the length (number of clicks) varies.

Anyone know if this is normal or have any ideas what it might be? If it's not common I'm sure you'll ask for a recording.. I can probably get one tomorrow. But wanted to ask the question now.

Thanks.

 

Reverse to Park or Rev to Neutral? That ratcheting sound is the parking pawl engaging, not normal.

How much overweight does that camper insert in your Avatar put your truck?

 

Maybe I went in to park... I don't think so, though. But I will do some testing when I have time. I think I heard it shifting into and out of reverse, from drive.. I was shifting around into my parking spot.

It is very heavy. 6-7000lbs depending on what's in it.

 

I know the noise pretty well, when I was like 5 I was shifting around in the front seat and kicked moms car into park from drive, when I bought my landrover "with a blown transmission" that sound is what told me the transmission was fine but the transfer case was bad, and I've accidentaly shifted from Reverse to Park in my Tacoma before I was fully stopped. Which what I suspect you did, shifted to Park or Drive before you were fully stopped.

 

Thanks a lot for your replies. I have read up on the parking pawl, and know exactly what to pay attention to now. I'll drive it to work tomorrow and do some 'testing'.

 

SO, I changed my transmission fluid (3.5qts). The clicking stopped! It was low, too. I took out 3. I had to put a bit more than 3.5 in, for it to trickle out the overflow at the appropriate temp.