Transmission noises

[poloplayer]

Hi guys, picked up my brand spankin new GTI on thursday. What a car! However, just a minor niggle is that, sometimes when I change gears, I can hear clunking sounds in the transmission. Is this normal in the first few k's? Or am I forcing the shifts too much?

[jasn78]

Hi guys, picked up my brand spankin new GTI on thursday. What a car! However, just a minor niggle is that, sometimes when I change gears, I can hear clunking sounds in the transmission. Is this normal in the first few k's? Or am I forcing the shifts too much?

Glad to hear im not the only one

[thepowercosmic]

Hi guys, picked up my brand spankin new GTI on thursday. What a car! However, just a minor niggle is that, sometimes when I change gears, I can hear clunking sounds in the transmission. Is this normal in the first few k's? Or am I forcing the shifts too much?

Hi pp,

Personally I don't trust dealers and their PDI checks are merely a formality where they simply tick all appropriate boxes - this is why I say to you check your gearbox fluid.

[FL00DY]

Hi pp,

Personally I don't trust dealers and their PDI checks are merely a formality where they simply tick all appropriate boxes - this is why I say to you check your gearbox fluid.

Is that you Stan?

I sometimes have a clunk changing into 3rd Gear only. Hasn't happened for a while.

[Spec83]

It's a trait of the gearbox - hold the stick against the gates when you change and it isn't as noticable... These are a notchy little gearbox!!!

[poloplayer]

So should I bring it back to the dealer and ask them? Or is this simply a sign of wearing it in? I'm afraid of wrecking it

[Wand Weaver]

No clunks for me yet (touch wood), but then again - I make an effort to be as nice to my gearbox as possible (ie, I rarely rush shifts and certainly don't flatshift).

I double declutch my downshifts - which certainly takes the "notchiness" out of the gearbox.

[Jetstar]

Hi guys, picked up my brand spankin new GTI on thursday. What a car! However, just a minor niggle is that, sometimes when I change gears, I can hear clunking sounds in the transmission. Is this normal in the first few k's? Or am I forcing the shifts too much?

Had the same thing happened to me. I actually took it back to the dealers twice to get it checked and they said that it's the way the gearbox is. I decided to get a second opinion from a friend who's a mechanic and he said that it's nothing to worry about its just the character of the gearbox...but i wasn't satisfied so i got in contact with a mutual friend who has a Polo GTI as well, we took his car for a drive and it made the same sound as well.

For me it only happens once and a while and only in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Spec83 made a good suggestion. Guide the gears down against the gates which helps and smoothens the shift. (thanks again mate!)

[Jetstar]

No clunks for me yet (touch wood), but then again - I make an effort to be as nice to my gearbox as possible (ie, I rarely rush shifts and certainly don't flatshift).

I double declutch my downshifts - which certainly takes the "notchiness" out of the gearbox.

Hey Wand Weaver,

What do you mean by 'double declutch the downshift'?

[h100vw]

You dip the clutch and pull the lever into neutral, lift the clutch and press it again before selecting the lower gear and lifting the clutch a second time. Blip the throttle when in neutral to get the engine speed to match the road speed in the new gear.

It was a well used technique in days of old before syncromesh gearboxes became common.

Gavin