Why does the car make a clunking sound when shifting into reverse gear?
2 Answers
When shifting into reverse gear for backing up, since the vehicle's direction of movement is opposite to forward motion, there is a certain amount of play between the brake pads and the rear end of the bracket. Therefore, when braking, the brake pads will impact the rear surface of the bracket, resulting in a clunking noise. The clunking sound during reversing is a normal play-related noise and is not a sign of vehicle malfunction. Below are methods to avoid making noise when shifting into reverse gear: 1. Stop completely before shifting: Shifting into reverse gear before the car has completely stopped can cause significant damage to the transmission. When shifting into reverse, make sure to press the brake firmly to stop the car completely before shifting. 2. Depress the clutch fully: When shifting gears and pressing the clutch, ensure the clutch is fully depressed. Never shift into reverse gear with the clutch still partially engaged. 3. Reverse slowly: Avoid pressing the accelerator hard for rapid acceleration while reversing, as this can cause significant damage to the straight-cut gear teeth.
I've been driving for almost ten years and have encountered the issue of a clunking sound when shifting into reverse quite often. It's usually caused by the reverse gear in the transmission not meshing smoothly. Many manual transmission cars have a simple reverse gear design without a synchronizer to cushion the engagement, so shifting into reverse immediately after stopping the car can easily cause an impact sound. My previous old car had this issue, and the mechanic said the main causes were either the clutch not being fully depressed or gear wear. He advised confirming the vehicle speed is zero and completely releasing the throttle before shifting into reverse to avoid forcing it. After developing this habit, my new car, which is well-maintained, rarely makes this sound now. Also, transmission fluid should be changed regularly—don’t wait until the problem becomes severe to fix it.
