satur9poet

My '08 4.0L automatic has only 23k on the transmission, still under factory warranty. Today I parked in a parking space that is on a steep hill with the front end pointing down. As I went to back out, I heard a noticeable *BANG!* and a lurch as I shifted from Park into Reverse. I tried this several times and it continued making the noise. The shifter **** also had to be muscled into Reverse.

I then parked on level ground and switched from Park to Reverse with no apparent problem...the bang seems to go away when parking on level ground. Anyone else notice the same thing with their automatics? Could it be a worn shifter? I'm really concerned as the car has very low miles and I don't drive it like I'm winning the Indy 500...well at least on most days, lol!

ODDYSEY

You can take it in and have it checked out, but sometimes when you park on a incline and put it into park, the transmission will "lock" into gear so when you try and release it your fighting the gears that are locked together.

Next time try putting on your parking brake, then putting it into park. That will help ease the tension on the tranny.

Nuke

That's probably the latch pawl trying to disengage/engage from/into PARK. Quite common when the car is on a steep incline.

satur9poet

I figured the incline had something to do with it...I'm relieved that it doesn't appear to be something major. Will try to engage the parking brake when on a hill...I very rarely park in this one particular place that has this kind of incline so I'm really not used to it, lol.

teetertotter

On steep incline down hill, turn front tires toward curb and have curb tire rest on curb before putting into park. Opposite procedure for up hill inclines. Takes pressure off tranny.

SPARTAN VI

QFT

This is the first trick I learned with my car. I live on a hill so that clunked spooked me, probably the first time I parked her. Ever since then I'd roll up on my driveway, put it P, but while still holding the break pedal I'd engage the parking break.

Oddysey's solution is the same just different order, I say tomay-to you say tomah-to.

satur9poet

Thanks for the tips, guys. Will remember those next time I have to park there.

edgespeeder06

yup it's normal.....uphill driveway and mine has always done it when I put it into drive.