It is never pleasing to experience a sound on your vehicle that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be wondering what to do when you notice a reversing gear noise that persists on your BMW X3? Any gearbox trouble can be important, but before making sure, it is better to do a few investigations. Our team has written this article to help you deal with it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on BMW X3, and second, what are the solutions available to you.
Classical reverse BMW X3 noises and some tips to maintain your gearbox
Why does the reversing of my BMW X3 make a different noise from my other speeds?
De facto, adding all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult task. The noise generated by the reversing of your BMW X3 is logical. It can be explained in a fairly simple way. Indeed, the gears used for conventional speeds (1st to 5th or 6th) are so-called “helical” gears (oblique gears) . The use of such a pinion makes the noise caused by the gears more quiet than with spur gears implemented for the reverse gear.
Tips to limit wear on your clutch and gearbox
- Don’t give a big boost:
In fact, if you kick the throttle hard when you are in reverse or when you put the vehicle in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions. - Never reverse while the vehicle is in motion or vice versa:
Reversing the direction of operation of the gearbox during operation is a very bad choice. Indeed, the pressure you will exert on the gears will be monumental and you will develop a premature wear and tear of the gears. You can even destroy the gears of your gearbox at speed by doing so. It will therefore be completely common if you experience a reverse noise on your BMW X3 if you shift gear under these conditions.
Several BMW X3 reversing noises and their causes
Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most curious about in this content, to learn about the origin of reversing noise on BMW X3. Here are the 3 typical sounds you may be victim of.
I experience a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear
If you experience a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your BMW X3, it may be the engine mounts that are tired. In fact, when the engine is in reverse gear, due to the pinions we saw above the vibrations made by the gearbox are higher and it is therefore plausible that due to their wear the silentblocks no longer absorb the engine vibrations well. In this case, do not hesitate to check this article for more info about strut mount noises on BMW X3.
An increased reverse knocking noise on BMW X3X
If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your BMW X3 and this noise tends to amplify as you gain speed. It is plausible that you are experiencing a serious trouble that needs to be fixed right away before ruining your entire gearbox. Indeed, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will spread to the rest of the box and damage other gears before long. Take your vehicle to your repair shop quickly or read this content page about gearbox noise on BMW X3 for more data.
I listen to a noise when I go in reverse
Listening a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and connected to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your BMW X3 reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is plausible that filings have been made and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.
