MY19.5 162Tsi Highline - Low speed gearbox knocking is reverse/switching

[Snookered76]

Hi all

As per the title would like to get the opinion of the regulars. Is it pretty normal to get a knocking sound from the gear box at low speed when reversing and switching from Drive to Reverse?

Noticing it when reversing into the garage and making adjustments when switching between drives....

Driving through gears is no issues up or down. Just when slow driving, just hollow knocking when off and on the throttle to drive.

Cheers

Snook

[phonebooth]

Hi all

As per the title would like to get the opinion of the regulars. Is it pretty normal to get a knocking sound from the gear box at low speed when reversing and switching from Drive to Reverse?

Noticing it when reversing into the garage and making adjustments when switching between drives....

Driving through gears is no issues up or down. Just when slow driving, just hollow knocking when off and on the throttle to drive.

Cheers

Snook

I have to reverse up a slope and on full right lock to get into my driveway. I find that when I reverse up the slope and the speed just starts to pick up, I release the accelerator and the gearbox "knocks" like you describe. I've heard the same sort of sound in a manual so figured it's completely normal and something to do the clutch not disengaging at low speed.

[mr gee]

I would gather this is 'common' with the Tig 7 spd dsg but by no means normal. Having owned many 6 spd DSG VW/Audi, they have not exhibited this behaviour.

[iDiesel]

Mine does it

[tigger73]

It's the synchros in 1st gear can be a bit clunky. I notice it in sports mode stopping at traffic lights it can clunk a bit back into 1st gear.

[Simonr23]

I would’ve thought it more likely to be general driveline ‘slop’- the small gaps between teeth in the gearbox, the same from the diff to the driveshafts, the driveshafts to the cv joints.
Often only felt at low speed- as that’s when we load and unload the driveline with relative abruptness. Ie- stop start traffic/driveway/D to R gear select.

All cars have it. Many TQ transmission cars mask it, because of the TQ- it acts as a dampener in these situations.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

It's the synchros in 1st gear can be a bit clunky. I notice it in sports mode stopping at traffic lights it can clunk a bit back into 1st gear.

I highly doubt it's the synchros, it's more the slop in the drive train as @simonr23 has mentioned.

And yes mine does it too, clunky clunk clunk. Much more noticeable in AWD VWs, as the prop shaft has a bit of slop in it too and it's always moving the "active centre diff" if you will aka Haldex is at the back so the prop shaft is always turning regardless if the rear wheels are "activated" or not.

[Snookered76]

Hmmm thanks for the quick replies.

So nothing sinister.. Might try record some audio, but I think you guys get what I'm on about. Definitely hollow clunk clunk clunk sounds

[Dan_3MPS]

Not 100% certain but I think there maybe a service bulletin out for this (reverse to drive clunking noises). Seem to recall it from the last time I logged into Erwin (VW service information portal).

Worth checking with your dealer.

[INASNT]

If reversing up a hill for parking etc, even driving up a hill slowing use the 'Auto Hold' as this will hold the transmission when you come off the throttle and stop the clicks and clunks of the DSG.

[phonebooth]

If reversing up a hill for parking etc, even driving up a hill slowing use the 'Auto Hold' as this will hold the transmission when you come off the throttle and stop the clicks and clunks of the DSG.

I have this activated in my car all the time, it only holds if you apply the brake and come to a complete stop. Not when you're jockeying the throttle trying to crawl/reverse up a slope.

[Simonr23]

Reversing up any slope is the one thing I find truly bad with DSG. If I’m going up my slightly uphill and straight driveway, forwards is fairly controllable and allows me to be mechanically sympathetic.

Reverse had the clutch slip to all hell and then Suddenly (and hard to predict when) lurch forwards, further/farther than I want.


I’m not a fan of auto-hold, in most driving conditions. It feels very harsh as the car takes off from it. I wish it could release the brake pressure and then apply throttle.

I use TJA a lot, so am exposed to auto-hold each day to/from work in peak-hour traffic.

Must be putting extra stress on clutch, and the rest of the driveline.

[PDMJO]

Reversing up any slope is the one thing I find truly bad with DSG. If I’m going up my slightly uphill and straight driveway, forwards is fairly controllable and allows me to be mechanically sympathetic.

Reverse had the clutch slip to all hell and then Suddenly (and hard to predict when) lurch forwards, further/farther than I want.


I’m not a fan of auto-hold, in most driving conditions. It feels very harsh as the car takes off from it. I wish it could release the brake pressure and then apply throttle.

I use TJA a lot, so am exposed to auto-hold each day to/from work in peak-hour traffic.

Must be putting extra stress on clutch, and the rest of the driveline.

Through OBDeleven you can modify the amount of 'hold' the Auto Hold does. By default it's set to medium.

[Simonr23]

Yeah, I’ve already set mine to the lowest of the options.

It seems to be programmed to have a minimum level (the obd11 setting) but brake pressure as the car stops overrides that setting.

Even on low, and stopping with the bare minimum to disengage the clutches, it’s too severe when taking off. It waits for the engine to load up the drivetrain before releasing the brake pressure.

[iDiesel]

Even on low, and stopping with the bare minimum to disengage the clutches, it’s too severe when taking off.

I used it for the first 4-5 months after getting the car, but the severe release on take off ended up putting me off

I use TJA a lot, so am exposed to auto-hold each day to/from work in peak-hour traffic.

I find TJA more sympathetic for brake release and 1st->2nd gear change