The clunking noise paranoia

clairvoyant · 04-30-2011, 06:03 AM

For those who drive manual transmissions.....

Does any of you experience "the clunking noise" when shifting from neutral to Reverse or from neutral to 1st gear [from a parking/stand still position]? Thank you

edvc520 · 04-30-2011, 07:49 AM

nope

dzenno · 04-30-2011, 08:13 AM

Not saying i know what's up with your car but some clinking is totally normal on bmw's manual trannies...especially if your coming on/off the clutch and moving in reverse

PHR · 04-30-2011, 09:59 AM

yes i get it when going into reverse from stop, iam heard that same clunk in most manual cars i have driven, iv always thought it was normal

Fozzy · 04-30-2011, 12:17 PM

I get it sometimes...it's hit and miss, usually while the car is still warming up. Sometimes it's pretty loud and you can even feel it.
Only pressing the clutch in just enough to engage helps mitigate it. When you press all the way to the floor it's more likely to happen in my experience. (went through this when I first got the car to figure out the clutch's sweet spot)

ns2000x · 04-30-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzy

I get it sometimes...it's hit and miss, usually while the car is still warming up. Sometimes it's pretty loud and you can even feel it.
Only pressing the clutch in just enough to engage helps mitigate it. When you press all the way to the floor it's more likely to happen in my experience. (went through this when I first got the car to figure out the clutch's sweet spot)

I'm pretty sure this is related to the lack of a synchro on first gear in these transmissions. Therefore by partially engaging the clutch it helps rotate the gear to help find alignment.

bigjilm · 05-03-2011, 05:30 PM

I feel that clunk in my '11 335i, and a very similar clunk in my old 2000 323CI. It's normal, as far as I can tell by your description. Some times, I feel like the engine is 'hanging' on the gear, and then it drops off the cog when I shift - big time clunk in that situation.

BTW, when my 2000 was about 6 years old, I replaced the tranny fluid with some somewhat expensive stuff and the tranny clunked a little less, but shifted much smoother. It was even better than new. I'm doing it with my 335 once I'm out of warranty.

I won't name the name of the fluid brand, but I'm happy to respond to a PM if you care.

04-30-2011, 06:03 AM	#1
clairvoyant Major 79 Rep 1,032 Posts Drives: Bavarian Manure Wagon (BMW) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 45°19′20″N, 75°50′0″W iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 335i [5.24]	The clunking noise paranoia For those who drive manual transmissions..... Does any of you experience "the clunking noise" when shifting from neutral to Reverse or from neutral to 1st gear [from a parking/stand still position]? Thank you
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04-30-2011, 07:49 AM	#2
edvc520 Lieutenant 37 Rep 523 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	nope
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04-30-2011, 08:13 AM	#3
dzenno Banned 273 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Not saying i know what's up with your car but some clinking is totally normal on bmw's manual trannies...especially if your coming on/off the clutch and moving in reverse
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04-30-2011, 09:59 AM	#4
PHR phr 25 Rep 351 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	yes i get it when going into reverse from stop, iam heard that same clunk in most manual cars i have driven, iv always thought it was normal
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04-30-2011, 12:17 PM	#5
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	I get it sometimes...it's hit and miss, usually while the car is still warming up. Sometimes it's pretty loud and you can even feel it. Only pressing the clutch in just enough to engage helps mitigate it. When you press all the way to the floor it's more likely to happen in my experience. (went through this when I first got the car to figure out the clutch's sweet spot)
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05-03-2011, 05:30 PM	#7
bigjilm Private First Class 9 Rep 100 Posts Drives: '11 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I feel that clunk in my '11 335i, and a very similar clunk in my old 2000 323CI. It's normal, as far as I can tell by your description. Some times, I feel like the engine is 'hanging' on the gear, and then it drops off the cog when I shift - big time clunk in that situation. BTW, when my 2000 was about 6 years old, I replaced the tranny fluid with some somewhat expensive stuff and the tranny clunked a little less, but shifted much smoother. It was even better than new. I'm doing it with my 335 once I'm out of warranty. I won't name the name of the fluid brand, but I'm happy to respond to a PM if you care.
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