Transmission thunk from 1st to 2nd.. normal?

[Freyspath]

I have a question for you guys.. I have an 03 pathy and a 99 pathy that both seem to do this.. When I drive and the transmission goes from 1st to 2nd it makes a big thunk/cluck. Is this normal? I know that on my 99 with 67k it is worse than on my 03 with 84k

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I don't get this sound on my '03.

[Freyspath]

I don't get this sound on my '03.

Its not really a sound, more like a feeling.

[Freyspath]

It maybe normal, because my 93 explorer does it too, but thats also because it has play in the ujoint.. my pathys dont have loose ujoints though...

[sc2nr]

Its not really a sound, more like a feeling.

I don't get this on my 03' either.. is it just like a hard shift? Have you ever changed you transmission/diff fluids?

[QX4ME]

I feel all the shifting points if I pay enough attention, but it is just a tiny bit.

[Freyspath]

I don't get this on my 03' either.. is it just like a hard shift? Have you ever changed you transmission/diff fluids?

YEAH! Thats what it is! Its a hard shift from 1st-2nd! Is that normal on these trucks?

I replaced all the fluids in my 03 pathy and my 93 explorer.. they both still have it.. the 99 pathy get all of its "required" (or what the dealer says it needs) at the dealer, cuz since its in mexico its not like I can just take it to my local autozone and buy fluids lol

[RyanEvh]

I think I know what you mean, when it shifts you can really feel it. On my 2001 when going from 1st to 2nd it shifts hard, same with my friends 1997 Pathfinder so I assume it's normal.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

YEAH! Thats what it is! Its a hard shift from 1st-2nd! Is that normal on these trucks?

I replaced all the fluids in my 03 pathy and my 93 explorer.. they both still have it.. the 99 pathy get all of its "required" (or what the dealer says it needs) at the dealer, cuz since its in mexico its not like I can just take it to my local autozone and buy fluids lol

I've never noticed this before but I probably never really pay attention. I'll feel for it tomorrow and post the results.

[oasisx]

i know exactly what you're talking about i actually made a post about this when i first signed up here. i have a 2001 with 54k and i have the exact same problem as the one mentioned....i thought it might have to do with a transmission cable adjustment...never got concerned enough to check into it though

[sc2nr]

YEAH! Thats what it is! Its a hard shift from 1st-2nd! Is that normal on these trucks?

I replaced all the fluids in my 03 pathy and my 93 explorer.. they both still have it.. the 99 pathy get all of its "required" (or what the dealer says it needs) at the dealer, cuz since its in mexico its not like I can just take it to my local autozone and buy fluids lol

Okay,

I just got back from my buddies place, just about 25 min drive both ways, stop and go the whole way. So due to this thread I paid extra attention to the shifts. If I really just concentrating on the shifts I can feel them, but not anything that would be considered "hard".

So I'm not sure what it can be...but I do know that it shouldn't be a "normal' thing. Have you taken any of you vehicles in to be looked at?

[ugharin]

I do have that hard shift from 1st to 2nd on my 02(81k) and the 00(125) as well and posted here about that. Not really "hard shifts" but just shifts that I could feel.

With a looong warm-up before I get going, they seem very smooth though not 100% of the time on my 02. Am gonna change fluids in the next couple of weeks and will know better.

My awareness, is that you are not supposed to 'feel' a shift in the transmission. You should only feel a slight change in the momemtum, if you will, of the vehicle and see the corresponding change in the rpm as well and thats that. As the vehices get older, one would start to feel the gear shifts and thats ok but perhaps not as early as 67k and perhaps even 84k.

It could also very well be just the truck. Maybe different trannys simply behave different ways. My vehicles exhibited this behaviour right from day one. I test drove 5 different Qs/pathys will shopping around and 4 of them displayed this noticeable shift thing. And I test drove quite a few of my buddys' vehicles to compare. An 06 hummer (85k-mi)and it was smooth and seamless. An 08 chevy cobalt (27k-mi) and it had that hard shift from 1st to 2nd. My 91 buick (145k-mi) is actually much smoother. Quite smooth actually & I couldnt feel a thing. Our 99 Montero sport with 250k miles has appropriately noticeable shifts. Buddys g35 is smooth with no feel. Another buddys maxima had that feel.
Modified by ugharin at 4:13 AM 2/4/2010

[tbsbiker2]

My 01 with 60K on it does the same thing and even more so when the transmission is cold...It seems to also depend on throttle input off a start in conjunction with how long it's been running...sometimes it's real smooth and in the morning in the winter if I am starting out it can be "abrupt" no problems though and I've put 25K on this truck..it's always been the same. I did change the transmission fluid at 50K though...it "seemed" to help but probably more it made me feel better! FYI I still get the occasional typical Pathfinder transmission flare in particular but usually only if I start out from a stop under brisk throttle and if say someone pulls out in front of me or slows down and I have to let off the throttle a bit it tends to flare...but not very often.

peter01 SE 60,000