I'm certainly no expert, but from your description, there appears to be
nothing wrong with the tranny. You say it shifts at the right time, and
with no noticeable delay or clunk. Have you considered "drive line play"?
In other words, if a CV joint has play in it, the tranny will appear to
clunk as the slack is taken up. This is particularly noticeable when going
from drive to reverse with brakes applied.
Just a thought!

"Bob Shuman" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the reply. It engages perfectly and seems to be at the normal
> time when shifting from park to reverse. There is no noticeable delay.
> It
> also shifts at normal times when driving or so it appears. The only
> symptom
> is the extremely harsh nature and loud "clunk" that comes with the shift,
> even when at a dead stop and engaging the gears for the first time when
> attempting to back out of the garage.
>
> Any other thoughts? My intention is to try to 30 minute reverse at idle
> with the brakes holding the vehicle still. At this point I've already
> changed the fluid and filter so all I need to do is add the trans cleaner
> additive. So if it does not work, I will only have lost the time and gas
> I
> burned.
>
> Bob