GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

Clunk sound is normal? Are you kidding me?

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Old 11-03-09, 12:23 PM
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rexrw
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Default Clunk sound is normal? Are you kidding me?

I have read a million (exageration) posts on here about people complaining of a "clunk" noise when shifting from P or R to D. It is happening to me right now with my '06 GS300. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happened all day yesterday and sounded pretty serious. Took it into the dealer today, still under warranty, and of course it wasn't happening. Tech said he will keep it overnight, let it cool down, and check transmission fluid level which could be the issue. If that isn't the issue they said it could just be a "normal" sound. I am sorry but I am not buying that BS. My wifes 2006 Sequoia shifts smoother and doesnt make a sound when you go from P or R to D so WTF. Has this happened to anyone recently? Don't tell me it is the break pads releasing either because that is just as far fetched as the normal theory.
Old 11-03-09, 01:12 PM
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EyeKutr
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Funny I dont remember any of the million posts about this noise in the 3GS forum.
Old 11-03-09, 02:34 PM
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I haven't seen any posts complaining of such issue, but maybe I'm just not paying any attention.

Does the clunk sound as you shift or some time after? Many cars make a clunk noise after you start driving -- ABS pump priming.
Old 11-03-09, 08:03 PM
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I8ABMR
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I have no issue with this and I am not familiar with it being common from the tranny. The F sport sway bars is a different story
Old 11-03-09, 08:04 PM
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XxGoKoUxX
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i have the same somewhat clunk issue, it's because the car's @ high idle and i didn't give it time to warm up yet, so the shift from P to R to D is rough, but as the car warms up everything's okay =]
Old 11-03-09, 08:29 PM
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slk_dds
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REXRW, I know exactly what you are talking about here...I know your pain!!!

In my case, it usually occurs when my toy is parked overnight. Next day, when I shift from P--R--D, I would usually hear "CLUNK" right after R. (Sometimes even after my toy is warm up, it still make that "CLUNK" noise!!!)

P--Rclunk--D

I had request my service advisor to check that "CLUNK" noise many times already... But they are too deaf to hear it, I even recorded one with "CLUNK" and one without. Still their ears are not sensitive enough to hear it... So I have finally given up on trying to figure out what that freaking "CLUNK" is coming from, unless CL members can figure this one out!?!

Does anyone also notice that whenever "foot-brake" is used, as you step out of your vehicle and left your butt off the seat. Does anyone hear some "cable stretching" or "spring stretching" noise as well?

Last edited by slk_dds; 11-03-09 at 08:33 PM.
Old 11-04-09, 06:17 AM
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i have noticed a delayed shift sometimes but i think it happens when you let off of the brake before the car is locked in gear this could be the cause of your clunk noise
Old 11-04-09, 07:00 AM
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rexrw
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SLK DDS....It is nice to know that someone knows what I am talking about and has experienced this issue. There isn't any specific time, or prerequisite to when mine makes the clunk noise, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't...but when I hear it, it is very loud. I ALWAYs use my parking/foot brake no matter what circumstance. My sequence of events is this...stop, shift to N (foot on brake all the time), set foot brake, let it rest on foot brake, then while my foot is still on brake I shift to P. When I start and leave....foot on brake, foot brake off, shift slowly from P to D and then a delayed CLUNK. It did it yesterday before I took it to the dealer, when shifting from R to P there was delay when it got to D then CLUNK. Sometimes there is no clunk, but then as I apply gas I hear a clunk and feel a delayed shift/grab before it catches and goes. Once I am driving everything is as smooth as can be, SO WHO KNOWS. I will see what the dealer says when they call me today.
Old 11-04-09, 09:40 AM
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slk_dds
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Originally Posted by rexrw
There isn't any specific time, or prerequisite to when mine makes the clunk noise, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't...but when I hear it, it is very loud. I ALWAYs use my parking/foot brake no matter what circumstance. My sequence of events is this...stop, shift to N (foot on brake all the time), set foot brake, let it rest on foot brake, then while my foot is still on brake I shift to P. When I start and leave....foot on brake, foot brake off, shift slowly from P to D and then a delayed CLUNK. I will see what the dealer says when they call me today.
DITTO, that is what I do also!!!

When I mentioned the CLUNK noise from the rear of the vehicle, they just told me not to use the footbrake!?!

Please let me know once your dealer give you the feed back, thanks.
Old 11-04-09, 10:44 AM
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rexrw
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Just talked to the dealer and they said it is good to go, could not find any issues other than the tranny fluid being a touch low, topped it off and said I shouldnt have any problems. Going to pick it up now and we will see....
Old 11-04-09, 12:58 PM
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The G Man
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Originally Posted by rexrw
Just talked to the dealer and they said it is good to go, could not find any issues other than the tranny fluid being a touch low, topped it off and said I shouldnt have any problems. Going to pick it up now and we will see....

That doesnt sound too promising.
Old 11-04-09, 01:51 PM
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sound like a brush job. They dont know what it is but will blame the most obvious reason.
Old 11-24-09, 08:01 PM
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mrxthuan
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my girlfriends GS has a problem with this. i know exactly what you're talkin' about. i talked to the master tech at lexus of westminster and he told me that i wasn't stepping on the brakes hard enough while shifting. also it could be the high idle thing someone mentioned in this thread, he had also mentioned that. good luck, i know it's annoying, on her car it does that, on my GS it has no problems.
Old 11-26-09, 01:50 AM
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yeah.... slam ur foot on the brake going from R to D... that helps a lot too
Old 11-26-09, 09:15 AM
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I have only had my 3GS '07 for less than a month and have heard the CLUNK in the morning after backing down my driveway and shifting to D. Just feels like a cold transmission. Ive seen other U.S. cars do it. Just figured its another little noise that I have to get used to with this car. If there were real tans issues there would be more problems at other times I am driving it. At first I thought it had to do with the braking as well. But the CLUNK comes from the rear so it has to be the trans.


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