2009 Escape Clunk Noise

DavidPJ · 05-21-2010, 05:28 AM

I just had the 10B15 transmission update and I was hoping it would cure another strange problem with my Escape's drivetrain, but it didn't.

When lightly cruising, maybe 35mph, and I take my foot of the gas pedal, I sometimes hear a clunk from the front end. Then slightly reapplying gas causes the same clunk. It's almost as if something is engaging and disengaging. I don't feel any transmission slippage. I don't really feel the clunk but I just hear it.

Any else experience this on their '09 Escape?

Thanks.

megascape · 05-21-2010, 11:55 AM

I may be way off base here but on the bushings in the sway bar and struts seem to go out fairly quick on the "E". Also a problem I discovered on mine and nobody has had that I'm aware of is the bolt on the steering arm (Not sure if it's the steering arm) next to the CV joint boot cover came loose and I was hearing a clunk every time my rig switched gears or I made a slow turn.

jsone · 05-21-2010, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by DavidPJ

I just had the 10B15 transmission update and I was hoping it would cure another strange problem with my Escape's drivetrain, but it didn't.

When lightly cruising, maybe 35mph, and I take my foot of the gas pedal, I sometimes hear a clunk from the front end. Then slightly reapplying gas causes the same clunk. It's almost as if something is engaging and disengaging. I don't feel any transmission slippage. I don't really feel the clunk but I just hear it.
Thanks.

More than likely your hearing normal drive line lash (play) . I notice the same thing on mine and also have had it on other vehicles.

wptski · 05-21-2010, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by jsone

More than likely your hearing normal drive line lash (play) . I notice the same thing on mine and also have had it on other vehicles.

I also have heard drivetrain backlash from other vehicles that I've owned but not from my latest. No clunk noise on mine.

jsone · 05-21-2010, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by wptski

I also have heard drivetrain backlash from other vehicles that I've owned but not from my latest. No clunk noise on mine.

Mine isn't very loud , and usually in lower gears , probably wouldn't hear it with the radio on .

Millstone · 05-21-2010, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by megascape

I may be way off base here but on the bushings in the sway bar and struts seem to go out fairly quick on the "E". Also a problem I discovered on mine and nobody has had that I'm aware of is the bolt on the steering arm (Not sure if it's the steering arm) next to the CV joint boot cover came loose and I was hearing a clunk every time my rig switched gears or I made a slow turn.

can you provide a larger picture, I can't see that

megascape · 05-21-2010, 08:15 PM

I'll get a new pic tomorrow.

megascape · 05-22-2010, 01:39 PM

Millstone · 05-22-2010, 10:10 PM

thanks, and what was loose?

megascape · 05-22-2010, 10:23 PM

on the escape there is a nut that sits right in front of the boot. I have covered mine in this pic but when the nut came loose I had the clunking noise. So at the end of the boot where the strap is around the boot there is actually a nut there. i can remove my boot if I'm not making sense..

Millstone · 05-23-2010, 08:48 PM

no I got it now, thanks.

DavidPJ · 05-24-2010, 04:48 AM

Thanks all. The noise is minor but I'll have my dealer look at it when I take the Escape in for its next oil change. I know the noise wasn't there until the past few thousand miles so I wouldn't think this is normal.

jsone · 05-25-2010, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by DavidPJ

Thanks all. The noise is minor but I'll have my dealer look at it when I take the Escape in for its next oil change. I know the noise wasn't there until the past few thousand miles so I wouldn't think this is normal.

Be ya a dollar it's normal drive line backlash !

DavidPJ · 05-26-2010, 08:03 AM

Now that I'm paying more attention to the clunk, it pretty much happens at any speed. I agree it probably is driveline backlash, but maybe it's excessive. Or maybe this is normal wear for the 6F35 tranny at only 20K miles.

jsone · 05-26-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by DavidPJ

Now that I'm paying more attention to the clunk, it pretty much happens at any speed. I agree it probably is driveline backlash, but maybe it's excessive. Or maybe this is normal wear for the 6F35 tranny at only 20K miles.

You could check for loose motor/transmission mounts , if you think it's excessive. I've notice a little backlash on mine since new . I've got less than 5000 miles and it hasn't changed .

DavidPJ · 07-08-2010, 05:22 AM

This is an update to my transmission clunk noise. Strangely, the noise is much less noticable than it was when I made the post back in May. At this point I doubt I would even report it as a problem to my dealer. I wonder if the transmission needed time to learn after the 10B15, or maybe it's just a coincidence.

DavidPJ · 08-07-2010, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by DavidPJ

This is an update to my transmission clunk noise. Strangely, the noise is much less noticable than it was when I made the post back in May. At this point I doubt I would even report it as a problem to my dealer. I wonder if the transmission needed time to learn after the 10B15, or maybe it's just a coincidence.

Well, the noise returned and the dealer service manager went with a test drive. It happened infrequently, but he also definitely heard the clunking or pop noise. The service manager did not think it was the transmission, but rather something loose. He said they tightened up what they could but couldn't identify the source of the noise. He said it's going to have to get worse before they can do anything about it.

I haven't driven much since the service visit but so far I do think the noise is less, but not elliminated.

megascape · 08-08-2010, 11:00 AM

So is the dealer going to rpair completely, or will you have to go another avenue?
I'm not sure if the '08 and '08 are the same but I can email you the pics from the tech manual if you'd like.

DavidPJ · 08-08-2010, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by megascape

So is the dealer going to rpair completely, or will you have to go another avenue?
I'm not sure if the '08 and '08 are the same but I can email you the pics from the tech manual if you'd like.

The dealer's not going to do anything until the noise gets worse and they can identify it.

DavidPJ · 09-03-2010, 09:55 AM

The clunking continues. I'm able to reproduce a similar noise when I shift the Escape from park to reverse. When you do this, do you hear a distinct clunk from the front end? Have the windows open to better hear it. Thanks.