What Causes the Noise When Shifting Gears?

[TessaAnn]

Possible reasons for noise when shifting gears are as follows: 1. Transmission failure: Damage to the transmission housing or long-term wear and deformation of the transmission housing and bearing seat holes. This type of noise is most pronounced when shifting into low gears and gradually decreases as higher gears are engaged, being the least noticeable in direct drive. 2. Gear failure: Fracture of individual gear surfaces causes impact during meshing. When shifting into the affected gear, strong impacts and vibrations occur, leading to resonance in the transmission housing. 3. Drivetrain failure: Poor technical condition of the drivetrain components outside the transmission (clutch, drive shaft) can cause impacts and vibrations during use, leading to transmission resonance and resulting in irregular noise. This noise often occurs unpredictably within a certain RPM range.

[AlexaMarie]

I've been driving for over twenty years and have encountered gear-shifting noises several times. The most common scenario is when you rush to shift gears without fully depressing the clutch, causing the transmission gears to make terrifying clunking sounds. Last time I went for repairs, the mechanic said dirty transmission fluid could also cause this—when there are too many impurities in the oil, the gears wear severely. Another time, there was a loud clunk when shifting into reverse, and it turned out to be worn synchronizers. In my opinion, if you press the clutch more slowly when shifting and regularly check the transmission fluid, you can avoid most of these issues. It's especially important to pay attention during cold starts in winter—let the car warm up for a few minutes before driving, as metal components are most prone to abnormal noises when not properly lubricated.

[MacCaden]

Last week my car made a creaking noise when shifting gears, and when we lifted it at the repair shop, we found the shift cable was loose. The mechanic said it's a minor issue common in older cars. If the gearshift feels rough and makes a clicking sound, it's likely the synchronizer ring is excessively worn. Last time my neighbor's car made a loud noise when shifting, and when they opened the transmission, they found the second gear teeth were damaged. Never skimp on transmission fluid during routine maintenance—change it when it's due. Also, remember to engage the handbrake before shifting to P on a slope, otherwise the transmission locking mechanism bears too much stress and can easily cause abnormal noises.

[LydiaDella]

When I first bought the car, I often heard gear shifting noises, but later realized it was because I released the clutch too quickly. Now I've developed the habit of pressing the clutch for a full three seconds before shifting. If you have difficulty shifting gears when the engine is cold, it's probably due to incorrect transmission oil viscosity. During my last maintenance, I found that the transmission rubber boot on my car had aged and was leaking oil—the strange noise disappeared after replacing it. Especially for manual transmission cars, be careful not to shift from high speed to low gear, as the noise can be terrifying.

[VanChase]

Last time when I heard abnormal noises while shifting gears, it turned out to be a cracked transmission mount rubber pad. The technician said that the current vehicle models have complex mount designs, and rubber aging can easily cause resonance noises. If there's a mechanical clicking sound, it's likely due to a bent shift fork shaft. For automatic transmission cars, don't overlook the shifting impact noise, as it might indicate a problem with the valve body oil pressure. The clunking sound when shifting into reverse is mostly caused by excessive backlash in the reverse gear. It's recommended to have the mechanic check the condition of the transmission mount rubber during maintenance, as a failure in this small part can cause the entire transmission to vibrate.