It is never enjoyable to notice 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 Vauxhall Corsa? Any gearbox problem can be important, but before making sure, it is better to do a few investigations. Our team has created this document to support you eliminate it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on Vauxhall Corsa, and second, what are the solutions available to you.
Classical reverse Vauxhall Corsa noises and some tips to maintain your gearbox
Why does the reversing of my Vauxhall Corsa make a different noise from my other speeds?
De facto, integrating all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult process. The sound caused by the reversing of your Vauxhall Corsa 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 less strong than with spur gears used for the reverse gear.
Tips to limit wear on your clutch and gearbox
- Don’t give a big boost:
Indeed, 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 plan. Indeed, the pressure you will put in on the gears will be enormous and you will generate 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 hear a reverse noise on your Vauxhall Corsa if you shift gear under these conditions.
Diverse Vauxhall Corsa reversing noises and their triggers
Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most interested in this page, to learn about the cause of reversing noise on Vauxhall Corsa. Here are the 3 typical sounds you may be victim of.
I acknowledge a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear
If you notice a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Vauxhall Corsa, 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 generated 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 circumstance, do not hesitate to check this paper for more info about strut mount noises on Vauxhall Corsa.
An increased reverse knocking noise on Vauxhall CorsaX
If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Vauxhall Corsa and this noise tends to increase as you gain speed. It is plausible that you are going through a serious problem that needs to be resolved rather quickly before wrecking your entire gearbox. Indeed, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will disperse to the rest of the box and damage other gears in short order. Take your vehicle to your auto mechanic quickly or read this content page about gearbox noise on Vauxhall Corsa for more data.
I hear a noise when I go in reverse
Listening a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and related to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your Vauxhall Corsa 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.
