E46 Gear Change Clunk

E46 Gear Change Clunk

Author
Discussion

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st November 2013
quotequote all
Apologies for the thread ressurection however I have managed to cure the clunk in mine, completely by accident. Over the past 3 months the 330d has had 2 bits of work done

1) Rear shocks and top mounts replaced
2) Gearbox coupling replaced

The first bit of work reduced it massively, the coupling cured it completely. I had kind of given up on getting to the bottom of it, putting it down to an "They all do that sir", however I had a very bad vibration in 2nd (similar to axle tramp) so had to send it in to be fixed, the new coupling has completely transformed the car. A previously grabby clutch is smooth as silk, a rattle I was convinced was the DMF failing has completely gone, and it engages gear smoothly and silently.

I'm frankly stunned at how such a small piece of rubber could make such a difference. If anyone has any issues like the above, I'd recommend getting it in to be fixed, you'll be returned a completely different car.

Ritchie335is

1,856 posts

201 months

Thursday 21st November 2013
quotequote all
Good news!
I have been driven up the wall with mine, it has a bad bearing hum around 30-60mph.
I have replaced all 4 hub bearings and the propshaft centre bearing.
It still hums.mad
Tailshaft bearing in the gearbox is the next suspect.

buggalugs

9,243 posts

236 months

Thursday 21st November 2013
quotequote all
Prop doughnut didn't make much difference to mine, but mine wasn't in too bad a condition I only changed it cause I had the prop out. Sounds like yours was properly knackered!

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
After a month I can confirm the clunk has gone away - the vibration is back though frown Nowhere near as bad as before, and it only seems to be coming from the left rear, most annoying though.

I was thinking wheel bearing or out of balance wheel? Or something more sinister?

Ritchie335is

1,856 posts

201 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
bodhi said:
After a month I can confirm the clunk has gone away - the vibration is back though frown Nowhere near as bad as before, and it only seems to be coming from the left rear, most annoying though.

I was thinking wheel bearing or out of balance wheel? Or something more sinister?
More likely to be a buckled wheel, a bulge in the tyre, or (maybe, slim chance) a drive shaft.
Pop to your local tyre place and get them to spin up both back wheels on the wheel balancer, that will highlight any wonky wheels or lumpy tyres.

ETA, it's unusual to get a vibration from a hub bearing, unless it's really, really fecked and by that point the noise would be unbearable.

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
Ritchie335is said:
More likely to be a buckled wheel, a bulge in the tyre, or (maybe, slim chance) a drive shaft.
Pop to your local tyre place and get them to spin up both back wheels on the wheel balancer, that will highlight any wonky wheels or lumpy tyres.

ETA, it's unusual to get a vibration from a hub bearing, unless it's really, really fecked and by that point the noise would be unbearable.
Interesting, well I'm off on Friday so can take it into ATS to have a look. I forgot to mention, it only seems to happen in 2nd, change up into 3rd, and it's generally fine. If I short shift, it is still there but much less obvious - above around 60 it's fine.

Broccers

3,236 posts

252 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
quotequote all
Broccers said:
Worn bush somewhere is what Id say. smile
Funny eh