It is never enjoyable to find out a sound on your car that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be questioning what to do when you identify a reversing gear noise that lasts on your Mini Mini? Any gearbox trouble can be critical, but before making sure, it is better to do a few inspections. Our team has written this document to support you resolve it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on Mini Mini, and second, what are the solutions available to you.
Classical reverse Mini Mini noises and some tips to preserve your gearbox
Why does the reversing of my Mini Mini 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 caused by the reversing of your Mini Mini is logical. It can be explained in a fairly simple way. In fact, 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 important than with spur gears used 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 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 idea. In fact, the pressure you will exert on the gears will be enormous and you will make 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 find out a reverse noise on your Mini Mini if you shift gear under these conditions.
Several Mini Mini reversing noises and their causes
Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most enthusiastic about in this content, to find out about the cause of reversing noise on Mini Mini. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.
I experience a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear
If you find out a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Mini Mini, 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 case, do not hesitate to browse this document for more info about strut mount noises on Mini Mini.
An increased reverse knocking noise on Mini MiniX
If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Mini Mini and this noise tends to amplify as you gain speed. It is plausible that you are confronting a serious trouble that needs to be fixed very fast before destroying your entire gearbox. In fact, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will propagate to the rest of the box and damage other gears in short order. Take your car to your repair shop quickly or read this article about gearbox noise on Mini Mini for more details.
I notice a noise when I go in reverse
Experiencing a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and relating to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your Mini Mini reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is plausible that filings have been created and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.
