VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 clunking noise in clutch & transmission area

My '30 has had a clunk noise each time I shift from reverse then start out in low gear. Presently the transmission and clutch are out of the car. The drive line bushing seems ok. I was wondering if any one else may have had this problem? Is there something in the transmission I need to check?

Just a thought; as long as your transmission is out, give the drive shaft a twist back and forth to check if there is play in the differencial.

Check out your universal joint as well.

:) :grin:

Thanks to Chevy Six and JYD for their rapid response. I did check the backlash in the differential and it seems normal, not excessive. The Universal joint seems ok but did find the castlelated nut holding the forward yoke of the U joint loose. The cotter pin of course was doing its job but the nut had no torque on it. Do you think that would allow the yoke to shift fore and aft enouth to cause the clunk? The clutch pilot bushing had about .007 wear in it also and have one ordered from the Filling Station along with one of their transmission forward bearing retainers with seal.

Sidemount,

Just saw your post from a few months ago. I have the same exact clunk in my 1930. Sounds like in front u-joint area, deep and "severe" big clunk, like transmission bolts to bell housing loose, or something, starting out forward only, etc. Doing some engine work now,so not able to try a fix yet, but I'm almost certain a previous thread on here will solve my problem, since I have had a loose axle taper on the left rear wheel. Do a search for 1929 Rear Axle Clunk and you'll find lots of good help.

Or, if you now have yours fixed, what did you do?

Thanks.

46 Panel,
Just read your reply and checked the 1929 rear axle clunk search but didn't come up with anything. I still have my problem but not as often and not as severe. Maybe I should have replaced the bushings in my transmission.

I would look at any area involving splines

Worn splines could cause it I guess. This noise doesn't always occur though. Might be worth replacing the u-joint even though the rest of it seemed ok.

The nut that holds the front universal joint yolk to the mainshaft,should be as tight as possible,with the cotter pin locking in that position.The loose yolk on the mainshaft would be the most likely source of the "clunking" sound.If the nut is loose,it could shear the cotter pin off with very disastrous results.

CJP's 29,
I agree, and when I tightened the nut I thought that would be the solution to the problem.

The pre '32 transmission has a square output shaft end. I have had to shim (used strips cut from a beverage can) them to eliminate any movement and get the cotter pin in place with a tight nut. Also noted that use of 600 or SAE 160 tends to minimize any clunks from the U-joint/transmission/propeller shaft.

The shim sounds like a great idea. wish I had thought of it when the U-joint was out. Maybe in the spring when the weather is warmer. Thanks Chipper

Sidemount,

Sorry for the slow response, but I think I gave you too many words for the search clue. Just search here in the 29-32 area, using only the word "clunk", and you'll find the right threads when you look at discussions from about November 2007. I'm still betting on a loose rear axle, since mine was loose before.

Good lesson for searches: the fewer key words the better.

Good luck.

46 Panel,
Thanks for getting back with me on my problem. I was able to read what you were refering to after I tried the one word search. (Clunk) I will certainly check out these finds the next time I get a chance. After winter storage. Thanks again.

hello sodemount,
are there any news about your clunk?

Had never a similar sound, but now I wanted to remove the rear brake drums to check the brakes, and on left side the drum is blocked and I had no luck to get it away (am still creating ideas how to do it without damage of anything), and on right side it is free and has slack. maybe soon it would have began to clunk...

Stefan

I just got my 30 on the road again, after finding a loose hub and a worn rounded keyway. I cut a new keyway on the other side of the taper, put the wheel back on good and tight, and made sure it still cleared the backing plate (still plenty of room). That was it. That clunk is gone, the one that I swore was coming from the transmission area. Search on here for "Clunk", it will help you find "Clunk 1930 Found the Source" for more details and the helpful advice I got.