What does it mean when my 62 Valiant shudders when backing up? The Valiant is an automatic, push button. Sometimes when I back up the rear of the car shakes and shudders, or so it seems.

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60 Red V200 Valiant & 62 Green V200 Valiant

Could be as simple as a broken or loose engine or transmission mount. If the low/reverse band is slipping and isn't out of adjustment then it means transmission work.

So what have you checked so far?

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Joshua

The automatics can do that when they get some age and mileage on them. Make sure your bands are adjusted correctly, fluid and filter clean...and drive it til it gets serious enough to call for a trans overhaul.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I haven't done much. The car has been my driver for several years now and since I don't plan to restore the Green car, I haven't addressed the issue.
Also, I don't know anything about servicing trannies. And, yes, I have a Shop Manual and bought the Peterson's Dan recommends.

The previous owner offered me a rear end with the car but I didn't have any storage for it. I was curious if this sounded like a rear end or tranny problem.

The car also makes a high pitched noise (or sings) at higher speeds.

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60 Red V200 Valiant & 62 Green V200 Valiant

It's not in the rear axle. Need a lot more detail on high pitched noise before it can be diagnosed (where, when, what does it sound like, what makes it start, what makes it stop, where does it sound like it comes from)

If you've not changed the trans fluid in the '62, it could just be inadequate fluid flow due to clogged filter, and loose band adjustment. Original type filters NLA, see here for upgrade/update with presently-available (and superior) parts.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I believe it happens the faster the car goes. At low speeds, under 30, no noise. On the freeway, I can hear the sound bouncing off other cars, in tunnels and against noise barriers (so I turn up the radio). It usually goes away slightly as the car warms up.
Fearing that it might be wheel bearings, after a long drive, I went around to each wheel and felt for heat. No heat, no smoke. About 2 months ago I replaced the front brake shoes and checked the outer bearings, they were a little loose but not misshapen or dry (from burning or melting the grease).
That's my story.

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60 Red V200 Valiant & 62 Green V200 Valiant

Okay...now try to describe the noise in great detail. Compare it with sounds that we all know. Imitate it in text as though you were singing it yourself ("YingYingYingYingYing" or "Wheeeeeeeeeee" or "oooOOOOOOOOOOOO" or "WhapWhapWhapWhapWhap" or whatever). Does its pitch or loudness change with car speed? With engine speed?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

The sound is more like a whistling noise...seeeeeeeeeeeeee.
It doesn't come from the engine. When idling or revving I can't hear it. It's definitely a motion sound. And yes, I would say that the pitch gets higher the faster we go. But the loudness, no.

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60 Red V200 Valiant & 62 Green V200 Valiant

u-joints??

Whistling isn't likely to be coming from any hard parts (transmission, rear axle); if it really sounds like a whistle (like you'd get from a window or door leaking into the passenger compartment), then it probably is a whistle, and you'll have the difficult job of tracking down exactly what's whistling where.

Do you get any shudder when accelerating up through the (forward) gears?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

The green car smoothly shifts with no shuddering going forward. No vibrations either. Honestly, I was thinking that the differential or wheel bearings were going bad. But I'm no expert and I'll keep driving her and watching for signs to report.
Right now, she's parked. It's icy out and I'm driving the work van. I finally have some work again.
Thanks for your attention and I promise to report back in when I have more info.

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60 Red V200 Valiant & 62 Green V200 Valiant

Definitely in the trans. If you were getting a shudder effect going forward, the front U-joint would become a prime suspect.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I once had a high pitched squeal which I cured by putting a little grease on the lip of the front axle seals.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.