Trouble putting transmission into park

[Frodo]

I have a 2003 Thunderbird. When I back into a parking spot and put the transmission into park it clunks. If I first shift into drive then park, it is smooth as silk. Any ideas?

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[kmamf]

Are you parking on a level surface? If not, you may be binding the transmission and the linkage. If you are parking on a level surface, I would look at the u-joints.