Help . Installed auto transmission , loud clunking noises ????

Ok guys , so this was weird , because ther was no scratches on the dust shield or anything .I painted it both sides and it was clean with no marks ?? For a second I though that there was a bolt stuck in there that was rattling , but nope . I pulled off the shield and just installed the starter without it . The crazy clunking sound went away .

Either way I guess I panicked over nothing , as usuall .

Again Thanks for all the help and ideas .