Sound when engaging transmission (Reverse and drive)

Hello everyone! I drive a 2012 4WD with 96,000 miles. Recently, I’ve been hearing a noise when I shift into drive or reverse, and also when I shift to neutral.

The noise is a clunk coming from under the car, near where the engine connects to the transmission and drive shaft. Just so you know, it shifts gears fine when in drive.

I’m not sure what the noise means, but I’ll take a look under the car later today or tonight.

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Oops I was thinking of the newer rwd explorers. Maybe transfer case related…?

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After looking underneath, I noticed that the driveshaft moves down and then back up when I shift into drive. So you were probably right about that after all

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Check your motor mounts too. Open the hood and watch the engine while someone helps you by moving the shifter from park to reverse to drive. If you trust your assistant, have them lightly rev the engine while it’s in gear (with the brakes on). If you see the engine rocking, you probably have at least one bad motor mount.

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That’s odd, considering the fact tht I replaced all 3 of em last month.
Will definitely check them tho

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Hmmm. Maybe an issue with the install or wrong/defective replacement part.
Either way, checking them like that will confirm if it’s that or something else. Or now that they’re new it’s revealing that a transmission mount or suspension part is also worn.

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Just checked the motor mounts, and they’re all, good there’s little to no movement even when I rev the engine. I think it might be the driveshaft causing the noise.

Maybe all you need is just some little lubrication and your problem will be gone :walking_man: