Transmission making grinding noise when downshifting
The transmission is making a clicking/grinding noise when the car is downshifting.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If your vehicle is a standard, you can have a bad synchronizer in your transmission. The synchronizers are typically made of brass and are what make shifting from one gear to the other smooth. When they wear they make shifting a bit harder and that is when you hear the grinding sound as you shift. Repair requires removal of the transmission and disassembly. This is something that I suggest be done by a qualified mechanic to pinpoint the grinding sound in your transmission.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
If your vehicle is a standard, you can have a bad synchronizer in your transmission. The synchronizers are typically made of brass and are what make shifting from one gear to the other smooth. When they wear they make shifting a bit harder and that is when you hear the grinding sound as you shift.
If your car has an automatic transmission, one of the most disconcerting noises that you can hear coming from your transmission is a grinding noise. When a grinding noise occurs with your transmission, it could mean a serious problem with your planetary gear system.
If the gears are grinding when you attempt to shift into reverse, it means that the transmission has not fully disengaged from the engine and its gears are still rotating.
Grinding gears is one of the most common signs of a transmission problem. It means that the clutch isn`t completely disengaging from the engine while the gears are still rotation. However, there are numerous reasons why it could be happening. In some cases with a manual transmission, it`s actually user error.
The grinding sound you hear is that collar colliding with the end of the gear if it is spinning at a faster or slower speed than the shaft in your transmission. Modern transmissions minimize this grinding by adding a synchronizer ring before the gear that helps get the collar and input shaft up to speed during a shift.
When you shift down gears, the engine is driven by the wheels and revs spike quickly until they`re slowed by the drivetrain resistance. If you`re referring to the pop noise, that is overrun when unburnt fuel enters the hot exhaust and ignites. Actually, the revs spike quickly so that the wheels don`t drive the engine.
Beware a
shake, jerk or grind Automatic gearbox telltale signs include hesitation, slipping, or “trembling” during gear changes. Manuals are more likely to grind. Jerking and clunking noises are more likely to be caused by failing engine and transmission mounts.
Strange Noises
If the sound resembles humming, buzzing, or clunking, you may be experiencing transmission failure. Bad automatic transmissions may emit humming, buzzing, or whining noises while manual transmissions have harsher “clunking” sounds.
If your transmission makes a grinding noise when you shift gears, you are likely experiencing friction between gears due to insufficient transmission fluid, worn transmission linkage, maladjusted binding, or a “dragging clutch.” If you hear grinding sounds when shifting from neutral to any gear, you may be dealing with …
If you are grinding gears in a late model car, without a doubt the brass synchronizers are worn, and like anything else continued grinding will eventually end up with losing a gear and iron filings will be in the transmission oil which will wear other parts and eventually the transmission will fail.
Grinding noises are associated with rotating parts and rotating systems; any part or system that rotates can cause grinding.
Automatic transmissions work similarly to manual ones, but the key difference is that the car shifts gears automatically based on preset RPM settings. However, while grinding sounds are more common in manual cars, automatic transmission grinding when shifting can still happen.
A grinding or shuddering sensation is common when a transmission has trouble shifting fluidly. Sounds: Any grinding noises while shifting or knocking noises while in neutral are clear indications of a transmission in trouble.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car makes grinding noise – 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
ANSWER : Hey there, thanks for writing in. I would have a professional mechanic check out the constant velocity joints on your vehicle. One or more of them may be worn enough to cause the noises you describe. S/he can diagnose and replace any failed CV joints.
grinding noise while turning right or driving straight
ANSWER : Hello. If the noise is still there when the engine is off and if you are not turning the wheel, then it is typically either a failing bearing in the rear differential or it can be a failure in the transfer case if it is four wheel drive.
The transfer case is a very common failure on this vehicle. If it is two wheel drive then I typically start by draining the oil from the rear differential and inspecting the fluid for metal.
Any metal in the fluid indicates a bearing failure. If that is also fine, then it may be an issue within the transmission. It may be a failure in one of the thrust bearings. If you need to get this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your car’s grinding noise.
Chattering noises coming from transmission
ANSWER : Hello. From the symptoms you’ve described it would appear to me that there may be an issue with the clutch disc or perhaps flywheel.
If the contact surfaces of either are excessively worn it may cause intermittent chatter, as you are experiencing. If the clutch is still the original one than it may need to be replaced.
If you’d like a second opinion on this or would like to get this fixed, consider getting some help from a qualified mechanic who can diagnose the noise your car is making. Once this assessment is made an accurate repair can then performed.
when i turn it make little noise. when press on brake and put on reverse it’s makes weird noise and shakes. thank you
ANSWER : It sounds like you may be dealing with a few issues. I would start by asking if there is a check engine light on? If there is, then getting the engine control module scanned for faults would be the first step to diagnosing the low power issue. As far as the noise over bumps and when turning, there could be a damaged CV joint or axle shaft, or there could be a loose suspension or steering component. Weak motor mounts could cause a weird noise and shake when going into reverse with your foot on the brake, so it’s possible those have failed as well. I would suggest having a qualified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the noise over bumps and the noise when put in reverse.
Whining noise from transmission and difficulty in shifting
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your vehicle has developed some sort of issue with the transmission, perhaps related to the hydraulic system, or with the transmission gears. If there is an issue with the vehicle’s hydraulic clutch system it may cause problems such as grinding or popping when putting the transmission into gear. The components to look at there would be the clutch master and slave cylinders. If the clutch appears to be engaging and disengaging properly then it may be possible that the issue is with the transmission, perhaps in the form of a bad throw out bearing, or worn transmission gears. Both of these could also cause a whining noise as well as difficulty changing gears if a problem occurs. I would also check the fluid levels for both the transmission and hydraulic clutch systems, as that could also cause similar symptoms. If you are unsure I would recommend having a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to diagnose what may be causing your transmission issues.
Transmission making noise that relates to engine rpm.
ANSWER : Hi there. Shut the engine off and check the fluid on the transmission dipstick. If the transmission fluid is low and not registering on the dipstick, then top it off until it reads full. Then start the vehicle and top it off until it reads on the dipstick as the fluid level will drop when running. Then listen for the sound. If the sound is still present, then most likely the torque converter could be loose on the flex plate. If the noise dampened some but is still there, then the transmission pump has failed. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission if the noise is still there.
My car makes a really annoying noise and sometimes dies right after
ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you have provided your vehicle’s moaning noise and intermittent stalling problem could be any number of things. It could be a failed alternator diode making the moaning noise and affecting the idle.
A failed alternator diode(s) allows voltage to flow both directions or no flow at all resulting in noise heard and erratic electrical operation. It could be a faulty idle air control valve. The idle air control valve can make noise and would account for the erratic idle and sporadic dying. It could be an accessory component, such as an A/C compressor, serpentine belt tensioner, or idler pulley, power steering pump making noise and placing undo load on the engine at idle. If you would like to have this done, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the noise and stalling issue.
Car jerks when accelerating in reverse & makes grinding noise. Is this a transmission or computer issue?
ANSWER : Hi there. Typically when you hear a grinding noise when you move forward or in reverse it’s usually an indication of a gear fault either in the transmission or another driveline component. If this occurs only when in reverse, it’s likely a damaged reverse gear. It is also possible that it’s a hydraulic fluid issue not supplying enough lubrication or pressure inside the lines to fully open the gear. I would recommend having a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can diagnose the source of your issue and recommend repairs that should resolve this problem.
