How to Solve the Squeaking Noise When Engaging Reverse Gear in a Sedan?
3 Answers
If you engage the reverse gear without bringing the car to a complete stop, it can easily lead to gear grinding. Therefore, when shifting into reverse, make sure to firmly press the brake and bring the car to a full stop before engaging the gear. When depressing the clutch to shift gears, ensure the clutch is fully pressed down. Engaging reverse gear while the clutch is still partially engaged can also cause gear grinding. When reversing, avoid excessive speed and refrain from aggressively pressing the accelerator for sudden acceleration, as this can cause significant damage to the straight-cut gears. Additionally, the power transmission of straight-cut gears is very direct and lacks smoothness, so reversing at high speeds can cause considerable discomfort to passengers inside the car.
I've been repairing cars for nearly twenty years, and this kind of reverse gear noise is all too common. Worn transmission gears are the main culprit, especially when the synchronizer is damaged, causing metal friction that results in a squeaking sound. Not fully depressing the clutch before shifting gears can accelerate the wear. Last time, a car owner kept hearing metal grinding noises when reversing, and upon disassembly, we found grooves worn into the reverse gear. It's recommended to fully depress the clutch for at least three seconds before shifting. If the noise persists, check if the transmission oil has turned black with metal shavings. Don't think this is a minor issue—last time, a car owner delayed until the gears started grinding, and the repair cost went up by 4,000 yuan.
As a female driver, I've been startled by that squeaking sound while reversing several times! The mechanic said there are mainly two scenarios: if it happens when starting a cold engine, it might be due to insufficient lubrication of the transmission fluid, just like stiff joints in winter; the other is a loose gearshift mechanism, similar to the friction sound of an old door hinge lacking oil. Once, when I heard continuous squeaking while reversing in the garage, the mechanic applied some grease to the gearshift linkage and the problem was solved. Now, I always wait for the tachometer to drop to 800 rpm before shifting into reverse to reduce metal-on-metal friction. Additionally, forcing the car to reverse while the wheels are pressed against the curb can also make the gears strain and produce noise.
