1995 Buick Riviera Logo
Anonymous Posted on Dec 07, 2012

Transmission clunks when shifting into reverse after initially starting the car.

I have a 1995 Buick Riviera. When you shift into reverse after starting the car it makes a terrible clunk noise. It does not do it if you shift into drive. After shifting to drive you can then shift to reverse with out the clunk. It's only after initially starting the car and shifting into reverse. This is my 2nd riv and the first one did the same thing and I drove it for 100,000 miles like that, so it seems like it must be a common problem, but no one has been able to tell me what's wrong. I service the trans regularly, and fluid level is fine.

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Brian Johnson

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  • Posted on Dec 07, 2012
Brian Johnson
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It has a worn or broken rear engine mount most of the torque is absorbed in the front mounts and hanger mounts except when it is shifted into reverse.

  • Anonymous Dec 07, 2012

    I'll double check but I think the mounts are all okay...I would think it would do this every time you shifted into reverse if the mount was broken. After you shift into drive you can then shift into reverse with absolutely no problem. And this clunk noise is BAD...I've fixed bad motor mounts in other cars and this seems way worse. Thanks for the reply.

  • Anonymous Dec 22, 2012

    I have to appologize. Finally got under the car again and looking closer at the rear mount, it is indeed broken. I replace it soon, and hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks!

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  • Posted on Dec 07, 2012
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Your cross member that the transmission is mounted onto has a rubber boot, check the boot, make sure the rubber is still there and that the transmission is not loose on the crossmember
also check your U-Joints at the end of your driver shaft that connect to your rear end

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

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  • Posted on Jun 15, 2009

SOURCE: tranny clunks when shifting gears

Your gears may be going. I would get it checked out.

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honeymokey

honeymokey

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  • Posted on Jun 29, 2009

SOURCE: Clunking sound when shifting to park and reverse 2001 Buick

Check motor mounts.

Anonymous

  • 4 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2009

SOURCE: My auto trans makes a thud when shifting out of

Its the motor mount under compressor! It goes about every ten years too much torque

dennymulford

Dennis Mulford

  • 1055 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2009

SOURCE: 2001 buick regal 71000 miles (transmission)

change the tranny fluid and filter

Anonymous

  • 1187 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 07, 2009

SOURCE: 95 buick lesabre shifts hard

1. There may be a vacuum leak anywhere under the hood.
2. The vacuum governor mounted on the transmission is broken (has a ruptured diaphragm). Easy to replace, has one bolt and a small (one inch) locking plate.
3. Replacement at AutoZone is around $12~~20.

Hope this helps!

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