I know these transmissions make noise when shifting from Drive to Park. This one has a new (first heard today) and loud clunk when I shift it from Drive to Park, but only if I pause in Reverse. No clunk when I shift directly from Drive to Park. The clunk is heard when the shifter hits Park. Does it with or without the parking brake on. I have looked at the drive shaft and both U-Joints are solid. No Play. When I lay under the car and my wife works the shifter it does sound like it is coming from within the Trans. And I can tell the difference when she does not pause in Reverse. Otherwise, the trans shifts great when driving.
Thanks!

 

Forward then reverse torque, eh? Tranny and/or motor mounts flexing and/or front pipe contacting tranny cross-member (or something else near it)?

 

The clunk comes when it goes from Reverse to Park. From Drive to Reverse is fine. Sounds internal to the trans when I am under there. But you know how sound can be deceptive.

 

There was a TSB issued for the 45RFE and 545RFE transmissions for the symptoms you describe (clunking, delayed/harsh shifts). It concerns the cooler return filter inside the transmission. Guy i used to work with had this happen to his Durango. Replacing the filters was the fix. For him, anyway.

TSB 21-015-05. I cant say if thats what your issue is as its for 2005 and up mainly, but its worth looking into.

 

I read about that TSB and kind ruled that out. I had changed the fluid and both filters 2 years ago. No more than 10k miles. I figure ( and perhaps incorrectly not sure), that if the filter was the problem, the clunking would have started immediately after I installed it?