It is never pleasant to notice a sound on your automobile that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be wondering what to do when you find a reversing gear noise that persists on your BMW 5 Series? Any gearbox problem can be critical, but before making sure, it is better to do a few checks. Our team has made this paper to help you eliminate it. First, we will see what the origins and the different gearbox noises can be on BMW 5 Series, and second, what are the solutions available to you.
Classical reverse BMW 5 Series noises and some tips to look after your gearbox
Why does the reversing of my BMW 5 Series make a different noise from my other speeds?
De facto, adding all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult exercise. The sound generated by the reversing of your BMW 5 Series 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 chosen for the reverse gear.
Tips to reduce 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 automobile in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions. - Never reverse while the automobile 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 apply on the gears will be monumental and you will produce 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 typical if you perceive a reverse noise on your BMW 5 Series if you shift gear under these conditions.
Different BMW 5 Series reversing noises and their origins
Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most excited about in this document, to learn about the source of reversing noise on BMW 5 Series. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.
I find out a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear
If you notice a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your BMW 5 Series, it may be the engine mounts that are tired. Certainly, 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 situation, do not hesitate to consult this paper for more information about strut mount noises on BMW 5 Series.
An increased reverse knocking noise on BMW 5 SeriesX
If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your BMW 5 Series and this noise tends to build up as you gain speed. It is plausible that you are going through a serious problem that needs to be solved rather quickly before wrecking 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 in short order. Take your automobile to your repair shop quickly or read this article about gearbox noise on BMW 5 Series for more information.
I acknowledge a noise when I go in reverse
Hearing a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and linked to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your BMW 5 Series reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is plausible that filings have been produced and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.
