95 850 T5-R transmission clunks only D to R

[erikv11]

I am poorly schooled in transmissions ...

Here's what seems working fine:
All shifts into D (drive) seem just fine, whether coming from P, R or N. There are no apparent issues shifting through the gears when driven forward. When the trans is in R it doesn't seem to slip at all. The problem only shows sometimes when shifting into R (reverse).

Here's the problem:
If I take it from D directly to reverse, there is a pretty violent clunk. But it only clunks when going from D to R. If I shift into R from park or neutral, the transmission engages with a soft nudge and all seems well. In fact, if the car is in drive and I first move to neutral and wait a minute or two in neutral, then when I shift into R there is no clunk. So D-to-R slowly (verrrrrry slowwwwwwwly) is OK, it's just D-to-R at regular cadence. It's as if something in the trans is still spinning from being in drive and if I don't I wait for it to stop, then when shifting into R it'll give the huge clunk.

Transmission fluid and engine mounts are all in good shape. Yes the engine hydraulic mounts are original and they sag but the trans is still up off the rubber bushing on the subframe. I am just saying I have checked a bit and I doubt this is and engine mount problem, but as always I'm happy to hear out any theories or tests on that front too.

So, any suggestions? Is this some early sign of the trans going out, or something else that can possibly be addressed? The clunk is bad enough that if I really want to alleviate it. My daughter drives this car the most, she can pay attention and do things like wait a few seconds when she needs to go from drive into reverse, but really it is best if the car "just works," it's a daily driver.

[Sommerfeldt]

... aaaaand the transmission torque mount is OK? On my old T5-R, that thing made noises similar to your description, at least.



- S