Auto Gearbox Noises

[Guest Actuary]

I have a 2003 2.8 auto, 6000 miles, bought from Ford Direct a month or so ago. When I drop it into gear from neutral or park there is often a noticeable clunk from the transmission and a jerk (other than the driver) in the car. It is especially noticeable into reverse and/or if the engine is ticking over fast when first started?

 

Does anyone else with a 2.8 auto (? is TDI the same gearbox) notice the same thing? The car has already been back once in the first few hundred miles to have faults fixed (so much for Ford Direct being a "new car experience", or perhaps faults are the authentic touch). I don't want the hassle again if this is normal, but on the other hand I have never driven or owned another automatic with such noticeable noises.

[NikNak]

I've got the TDi Auto, had it just over a year now. Nope most deffinatly no clunks, bangs, whistles, noises of any description what-so-ever. In fact it's the smoothest (?) auto i've ever driven........ other than the Maverick i was lent for 2 weeks by the dealer, while mine was in for airbag warranty work. The only time you new that car was changing gear was seeing the rev counter go up or down, fantastic.

 

 

Nick

[MrT]

I think it depends on the size of the clunk and bang. There is always a slight drop in revs when you put it into gear as the engine takes the load of the transmission and if you engine is running fast (more than 1000rpm) I would expect this to increase. If you rev the engine (say 2000-3000 rpm) then put it in gear I would expect and bit of a jolt and you should not do this.

 

I take it your interlock is still working and you have to have the footbrake on to take it out of park.

 

Again I never have found a use for neutral, if you use it when driving at any speed it can be tricky to get back into gear due to the footbrake interlock.

 

I have driven several galaxy 2.8i automatics and on level ground they will always crawl off if you lift your foot of the footbrake and it takes a steep hill for them to roll backwards when stationary and in gear such as waiting in traffic and the handbrake off.

 

I have had very few minor transmission bangs and these have always happened when coasting at around 30-40mph and you apply a bit more throttle, when this happens it is like a motorbike with a slack chain. I assume this is the box starting to change up then suddenly changing down.

 

Normally its is only the change in revs that let you know you have changed gear with very smooth transistions.

 

Unlike my wifes auto Fiesta, that can stall when cold and almost outpull the handbrake.

[Denis]

Actuary, unless you are hyper sensitive to clunks and bangs, there might be something wrong- I haven't noticed anything like this with my car. I've owned several automatics in ther past and the current autobox seems to be pretty refined.

 

If you have had the car for less than 30 days you could tell the dealer you are rejecting the car- I did this with mine, it's a wonderful way of getting their attention. And hopefully sorting out your problem.

[Guest Murdock]

Your problem is almost certainly being caused by the gearbox to body mounting. The rubber bush wears quite quickly in the Auto as it is effectivly holding the vehicle in place when you put the gearbox in park but do not engage the handbreak. If you have access to an inspection pit you can apply the handbreak and get someone to alternate between drive and reverse every few moments, while from under the car you can see the mounting move excessively. it is located on the bottom of the gearbox and links to the body, (about 12' long, round on one side and flat on the other)

 

Cost for a replacement from Ford is about