It is never pleasing to perceive a sound on your car that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be wanting to know what to do when you notice a reversing gear noise that lasts on your Mazda MX 5 Miata? Any gearbox problem can be severe, but before making sure, it is better to do a few checks. Our team has made this document to help you fix it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on Mazda MX 5 Miata, and second, what are the solutions available to you.reverse-gear-noise-mazda-mx-5-miata

Classical reverse Mazda MX 5 Miata noises and some tips to look after your gearbox

Why does the reversing of my Mazda MX 5 Miata make a different noise from my other speeds?

De facto, adding all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult process. The noise caused by the reversing of your Mazda MX 5 Miata 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 used for the reverse gear.

Tips to reduce 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 car in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions.

  • Never reverse while the car 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 significant and you will generate a premature wear and tear of the gears. You can even break the gears of your gearbox at speed by doing so. It will therefore be completely common if you experience a reverse noise on your Mazda MX 5 Miata if you shift gear under these conditions.

Different Mazda MX 5 Miata reversing noises and their origins

Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most enthusiastic about in this page, to find out about the cause of reversing noise on Mazda MX 5 Miata. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.

I acknowledge a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear

If you perceive a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Mazda MX 5 Miata, 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 possible that due to their wear the silentblocks no longer absorb the engine vibrations well. In this situation, do not hesitate to check this document for more information about strut mount noises on Mazda MX 5 Miata.

An increased reverse knocking noise on Mazda MX 5 MiataX

If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Mazda MX 5 Miata and this noise tends to build up as you gain speed. It is possible that you are experiencing a serious problem that needs to be resolved 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 very fast. Take your car to your auto mechanic quickly or browse this document about gearbox noise on Mazda MX 5 Miata for more information.

I listen to 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 Mazda MX 5 Miata reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is possible that filings have been produced and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.