E46 Gear Change Clunk
Discussion
Recently bought an 04/2004 E46 320Ci Sport and have noticed the following;
A clunk/thump when changing from 1st to 2nd gear. More noticeable when engaging 1st after having waited at traffic lights etc. The noise is less so when changing 2nd to 3rd. I appears to come from the rear, clutch is fine as is gear change and car drives without any problem.
I'm aware of rear sub frame issues on certain E46's but led to believe on earlier models than mine and the M3.
I had the car inspected at my local BMW Indy who found a little more play than usual on the propshaft.
Bought the car from local BMW dealer and taking it back tomorrow to see what they find!
A clunk/thump when changing from 1st to 2nd gear. More noticeable when engaging 1st after having waited at traffic lights etc. The noise is less so when changing 2nd to 3rd. I appears to come from the rear, clutch is fine as is gear change and car drives without any problem.
I'm aware of rear sub frame issues on certain E46's but led to believe on earlier models than mine and the M3.
I had the car inspected at my local BMW Indy who found a little more play than usual on the propshaft.
Bought the car from local BMW dealer and taking it back tomorrow to see what they find!
does it clunk/crunch going into reverse as well? I have similar issue on my E36, suspect issue with prop shaft or diff mountings as I've had my sub-frame checked out when I bought the car, and it's all OK. I thought changing the shifter bearings would get rid of it, so I fitted a Z3 shifter kit and did all the bearings at the same time, but it didn't help.
One thing I'm noticing is it seems to be quite a bit worse when the car is facing downhill.
One thing I'm noticing is it seems to be quite a bit worse when the car is facing downhill.
vsonix said:
does it clunk/crunch going into reverse as well? I have similar issue on my E36, suspect issue with prop shaft or diff mountings as I've had my sub-frame checked out when I bought the car, and it's all OK. I thought changing the shifter bearings would get rid of it, so I fitted a Z3 shifter kit and did all the bearings at the same time, but it didn't help.
One thing I'm noticing is it seems to be quite a bit worse when the car is facing downhill.
I have no problems engaging reverse or changing down. One thing I'm noticing is it seems to be quite a bit worse when the car is facing downhill.
Worst is when ready to move off, engaging 1st before releasing the handbrake - quite a loud clunk.
Dealer found nothing having checked the car over other than could be "clutch drag" Having looked that up symptoms of drag include difficulty engaging gears - I don't have that.
In light of nothing found I commented in that case they had no cure and the problem would not go away - the reply being yes and to monitor the situation and return if the problem worsens!
In light of nothing found I commented in that case they had no cure and the problem would not go away - the reply being yes and to monitor the situation and return if the problem worsens!
Paul M said:
Dealer found nothing having checked the car over other than could be "clutch drag" Having looked that up symptoms of drag include difficulty engaging gears - I don't have that.
In light of nothing found I commented in that case they had no cure and the problem would not go away - the reply being yes and to monitor the situation and return if the problem worsens!
This is what the garage said to me when I took in my 330d (51 reg) complaining of a somewhat-regular clonk when changing gear, particularly (as with your case) when engaging 1st or changing from 1st to 2nd. They couldn't tell precisely what the problem was, and I didn't fancy having them just replace things until it stopped, so... that was that. That was 1 year ago, and the car has been going 'clunk' since, without really getting any worse or any better. So hopefully just leaving it won't cause too much of a problem for you either!In light of nothing found I commented in that case they had no cure and the problem would not go away - the reply being yes and to monitor the situation and return if the problem worsens!
I do hope that by the time the problem becomes significantly more obvious, it won't have become significantly more expensive...
x 7usc said:
Yep i get the same thump when engaging 1st, also changed the shifter and bearing for a Z3M one and it still does it, not noticed the 1st to 2nd though TBH.
ETA also doing it after a brand new clutch
Think I'll just have to live with it for now and keep an eye (or rather ear) on it.ETA also doing it after a brand new clutch
The 1st to 2nd clunk is not so obvious. Perhaps it's just a "characteristic" of the car.
Would be interested to hear if many others have experienced it.
the 1st/2nd gear clunk has affected BMW 3 series since the E36.
My E36 328i has done it for the 6 years I've owned it and it's never got any worse.
I've had everything checked by BMW (including the guibo), and they've never found the cause. All they could say is that it's just something they tend to do.
I have found that if I select 1st when the car is completely stationary then I get the clunk, but if I'm slowly rolling up to a junction and select 1st with the car still moving then there's no clunk.
It is still worth getting the guibo checked though, just in case.
My E36 328i has done it for the 6 years I've owned it and it's never got any worse.
I've had everything checked by BMW (including the guibo), and they've never found the cause. All they could say is that it's just something they tend to do.
I have found that if I select 1st when the car is completely stationary then I get the clunk, but if I'm slowly rolling up to a junction and select 1st with the car still moving then there's no clunk.
It is still worth getting the guibo checked though, just in case.
I have just made up an adjustable clutch stop for mine. Removing some of the dead pedal travel from the stroke has been another thing that has improved my shift.
Next is fluid swap, inspect gbox / diff mounts and the guibo for me. Once I have ruled out all the possibilities which don't include the dual mass flywheel I'll just live with whatever clunk is left.
Have you checked your passenger side engine mount? A failure there could cause some thumps on shifting.
And a random idea: if the clutch is not disengaging fully then it could be the cause - often get this on the bike when its cold. Check the auto adjuster is functional and that there is no air in the hydro system.
Next is fluid swap, inspect gbox / diff mounts and the guibo for me. Once I have ruled out all the possibilities which don't include the dual mass flywheel I'll just live with whatever clunk is left.
Have you checked your passenger side engine mount? A failure there could cause some thumps on shifting.
And a random idea: if the clutch is not disengaging fully then it could be the cause - often get this on the bike when its cold. Check the auto adjuster is functional and that there is no air in the hydro system.
Edited by markc123 on Wednesday 13th June 11:31
markc123 said:
I have just made up an adjustable clutch stop for mine. Removing some of the dead pedal travel from the stroke has been another thing that has improved my shift.
Next is fluid swap, inspect gbox / diff mounts and the guibo for me. Once I have ruled out all the possibilities which don't include the dual mass flywheel I'll just live with whatever clunk is left.
Have you checked your passenger side engine mount? A failure there could cause some thumps on shifting.worsens
And a random idea: if the clutch is not disengaging fully then it could be the cause - often get this on the bike when its cold. Check the auto adjuster is functional and that there is no air in the hydro system.
I doubt the dealer considered all of that.Next is fluid swap, inspect gbox / diff mounts and the guibo for me. Once I have ruled out all the possibilities which don't include the dual mass flywheel I'll just live with whatever clunk is left.
Have you checked your passenger side engine mount? A failure there could cause some thumps on shifting.worsens
And a random idea: if the clutch is not disengaging fully then it could be the cause - often get this on the bike when its cold. Check the auto adjuster is functional and that there is no air in the hydro system.
Edited by markc123 on Wednesday 13th June 11:31
If the issue worsens I can always return to them and give them a few things to consider.
Thanks for your help.
Paul M said:
Funny you should say that because today I came to a compromise and I suppose a partial cure - engaging 1st a bit slower seems to prevent the clunk.
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