Over the past several weeks, I've been noticing a single sound like a THUNK when in reverse going uphill (that's not as crazy as it sounds--our driveway is on a hill). I have a 2000 with 30k miles. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a precursor to a tranny replacement?

 

yes, i get the 'thunk' also. my driveway is a slight upward incline. when i put it in reverse to back down/out of the driveway i get a really nasty clunk about 90% of the time. dont know what the deal is. i thought i read somewhere that it was normal.. but i dont see how this could be true.

 

It seems like all Honda Tranny's have that "Thunk" sound. My 99 Civic did. Took it to the dealer and they said "Thats Normal" and my 03 TL-S does the same.

 

Ok that Thunk Sound I think is normal, cuz my 99 Accord had it. BUt that Thunk sound soon turned louder and when you would put it in reverse the whole car jolted fwd first. Then my Tranny was acting up.. so just keep ur eyes open... thas all I can say.

 

Are you guys using the parking brake? If not, try it before putting it in park and release it after it is in reverse and see if that makes a difference in the sound. My driveway is very steep and I have to use the E. brake otherwise it produces a thunk and a violent shake(like most of the other cars on my driveway).

 

I know what you're talking about, but in my case it's a different thunk. When parking facing downhill, I always put it in park, set the parking brake, then let off the regular brake, in that order. When reversing up the hill, I push the regular brake, put it in reverse, and release the parking brake, in that order. Seems to me this way reduces wear on the tran. Then starting up the hill in reverse produces the sound, unless I'm extremely light on the gas, going at a snail's pace. It's almost like there's a loose engine mount or something...

 

Check your engine/transaxile mounts; When the car is shifted into a gear the motor torques with a good amount of force as it ecounters resistance. If one is damaged/loose, you will also feel/hear a "thunk".