5th gear knock going into gear

DJKhan85 · 08-19-2010, 09:24 AM

I've had this "problem" since I picked the car up. Discussed it many times with my SA but they could never replicate. The problem I'm facing is that the first shift from 4th to 5th always feels like it's hitting something. It's not audible but you can feel it through the shifter. Most notably happens in cold during the mornings.

It is ALWAYS the first shift into 5th. It is always in the morning. Doesn't happen once everything has come up to temp. The clutch is full to the floor. It doesn't matter if I shift fast or slow.

Anyone care to wager a guess? Should I change out my fluid?

slowSwede · 08-19-2010, 09:41 AM

You could try changing your fluid as that might work.

If not, usually when you feel resistance (like the metallic resistance when the cogs line up and not the spongy one) it's the synchros that are a bit worn.
Really nothing to worry about whilst it doesn't get worse. Bought a new car once, that had 1st to 2nd resistance after 10 000 kms, never had any problems on that one and sold it at 75 000 kms.

But as I said earlier, people on this forum has experienced smoother shifts when changing their tranny fluid, so that's where I'd start.

slowSwede · 08-19-2010, 09:44 AM

Re-read your post, and perhaps it's not the synchro.
If you shift SUPER slow, you usually don't feel the resistance they cause, and as you stated it doesn't matter if you shift fast or slow.
Go for oil.

DJKhan85 · 08-19-2010, 10:27 AM

5th gear has taken some abuse in life. Some family members learned to drive stick with my car and I am guilty of a grind here and there

(until I changed my seating position). If it's due to the wear on the synchro then I'll take the hit on that one. I planned on changing the fluid in the next hundred or so miles.

DJKhan85 · 08-19-2010, 12:39 PM

Just went out to test out some theories on this issue. I drove around until everything was sort of up to temp. Then I was coasting and put it in neutral with the clutch pedal out. Revved the engine up and then pushed the clutch pedal in and very very very gingerly moved the shifter into 5th. At some point when the revs were falling there would be a very slight "knock". I could repeat this procedure over and over and over again. The same outcome every time. I tried the same procedure with some other gears and did NOT get this knock. This leads me to believe that the issue is the synchro on 5th.

Agree/disagree?

I should also mention that there are NO NOISES whatsoever when doing this. You can only feel the "knock" and not hear any kind of grinding or actually knocking. I just felt it.

tnerb123 · 12-12-2011, 11:35 AM

Hey,

did you ever figure out what the source of this was? I seem to have a slightly similar situation on my car and am wondering what (if anything) you did.

bigdaddycane · 12-12-2011, 11:51 AM

I would just keep bothering your SA and the dealership. Threaten them with contacting BMW NA for rep to come to check it out.

Quote:

Some family members learned to drive stick with my car

In the future I would avoid this at all costs. These transmissions are not good to learn on. Borrow another car or rent one if you have to.

08-19-2010, 09:24 AM	#1
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	5th gear knock going into gear I've had this "problem" since I picked the car up. Discussed it many times with my SA but they could never replicate. The problem I'm facing is that the first shift from 4th to 5th always feels like it's hitting something. It's not audible but you can feel it through the shifter. Most notably happens in cold during the mornings. It is ALWAYS the first shift into 5th. It is always in the morning. Doesn't happen once everything has come up to temp. The clutch is full to the floor. It doesn't matter if I shift fast or slow. Anyone care to wager a guess? Should I change out my fluid? __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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08-19-2010, 09:41 AM	#2
slowSwede Lieutenant 22 Rep 549 Posts Drives: 335 coupe Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Skåne iTrader: (0)	You could try changing your fluid as that might work. If not, usually when you feel resistance (like the metallic resistance when the cogs line up and not the spongy one) it's the synchros that are a bit worn. Really nothing to worry about whilst it doesn't get worse. Bought a new car once, that had 1st to 2nd resistance after 10 000 kms, never had any problems on that one and sold it at 75 000 kms. But as I said earlier, people on this forum has experienced smoother shifts when changing their tranny fluid, so that's where I'd start.
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08-19-2010, 09:44 AM	#3
slowSwede Lieutenant 22 Rep 549 Posts Drives: 335 coupe Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Skåne iTrader: (0)	Re-read your post, and perhaps it's not the synchro. If you shift SUPER slow, you usually don't feel the resistance they cause, and as you stated it doesn't matter if you shift fast or slow. Go for oil.
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08-19-2010, 10:27 AM	#4
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	5th gear has taken some abuse in life. Some family members learned to drive stick with my car and I am guilty of a grind here and there (until I changed my seating position). If it's due to the wear on the synchro then I'll take the hit on that one. I planned on changing the fluid in the next hundred or so miles. __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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08-19-2010, 12:39 PM	#5
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	Just went out to test out some theories on this issue. I drove around until everything was sort of up to temp. Then I was coasting and put it in neutral with the clutch pedal out. Revved the engine up and then pushed the clutch pedal in and very very very gingerly moved the shifter into 5th. At some point when the revs were falling there would be a very slight "knock". I could repeat this procedure over and over and over again. The same outcome every time. I tried the same procedure with some other gears and did NOT get this knock. This leads me to believe that the issue is the synchro on 5th. Agree/disagree? I should also mention that there are NO NOISES whatsoever when doing this. You can only feel the "knock" and not hear any kind of grinding or actually knocking. I just felt it. __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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12-12-2011, 11:35 AM	#6
tnerb123 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, United States iTrader: (0)	resolved? Hey, did you ever figure out what the source of this was? I seem to have a slightly similar situation on my car and am wondering what (if anything) you did.
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