Nasty noise after engaging reverse

Post by **Nastase** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:39 am

Hi, I've been wondering about this for a while but I'd like to relay on the forum expertes before going to Audi. Like it says on my profile I live in Sweden right now. I don't drive the car everyday, but when I do (normally is parked in a garage that keeps temperature around 10-12 celsius, but a few times the car had to spend the night outdoors) after engaging reverse to take it out of the parking the car feels blocked, I accelerate a bit a then the noise comes, is a loud mechanical "CLACK" rather disturbing, then the car goes. After driving it for a while if I park it again and use the reverse nothing happens, it goes smoothly. Any ideas what could it be?

Thanks,

Nastase

Post by **adsgreen** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:43 am

I would suspect reverse idler gear (or the rs4 gearbox equivalent).

On gearboxes I've worked on engaging reverse isn't like a normal gear but often a gear sliding into place like an old fashioned crash gearbox. I would guess in extreme circumstances it could stick.

If the noise is only on the first engagement and then fine I would be tempted to leave it and see if it gets worse.
Perhaps a change in gearbox oil or at least verify the transmission oil level.

Post by **Nastase** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:45 am

I forgot to say that when I had the car in Spain last summer, nothing like this would happen. The car has aprox 18640 miles on the clock.

Post by **Nastase** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:46 am

adsgreen wrote:I would suspect reverse idler gear (or the rs4 gearbox equivalent).

On gearboxes I've worked on engaging reverse isn't like a normal gear but often a gear sliding into place like an old fashioned crash gearbox. I would guess in extreme circumstances it could stick.

If the noise is only on the first engagement and then fine I would be tempted to leave it and see if it gets worse.
Perhaps a change in gearbox oil or at least verify the transmission oil level.

Thanks a lot adsgreen.

Post by **adsgreen** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:48 am

What would be a good test if possible is to park the car such that you don't need to use reverse. Then after leaving overnight drive away forwards for ten minutes and then try reverse as the gearbox would be up to temp.

Post by **Nastase** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:51 am

I'll give it a try tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks again for your advice.

Post by **Timster** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:35 am

Do you leave the car overnight with the hand-brake on?
Are you sure this noise isn't the brake-pads sticking to the disks (very common).

Maybe try leaving the car in gear, but without the handbrake and see if that cures it ?

Post by **Nastase** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:41 am

I do leave it with the hand-brake on. I'll try what you suggest as well Timster. Thanks.

Post by **RSKiwi** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:41 am

TimsterRS4 wrote:Do you leave the car overnight with the hand-brake on?
Are you sure this noise isn't the brake-pads sticking to the disks (very common).

Maybe try leaving the car in gear, but without the handbrake and see if that cures it ?

+1 This happens occasionally to mine.

Post by **HEo2TEC** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:57 am

Post by **pDkALO** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:12 pm

TimsterRS4 wrote:Are you sure this noise isn't the brake-pads sticking to the disks (very common).

+1

Usually damp in the air / on the pads causes light dusting of rust on the disks overnight - very common in this country. Possibly explains why it doesn't happen when in Spain as that bit warmer?

Post by **RIV** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:33 pm

Dalo i was thinking exactley the same, pads sticking then clunk as they brake free

Post by **Lig** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:36 pm

Hi all,

Same happens to mine, and its the brakes binding. Strange thing is that I dont use the hand brake as I have a pebbled drive and there are nice 'grooves' for the tyres to sit but it still does it if it is left for a week or so. And I am pretty sure its the fronts that bind (doesnt the hand brake only operate the rears??)

So trying without the hand brake may make no difference. But from your description I would say its deffo the brakes and nothing to worry about.

Lig.

Post by **adsgreen** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:43 pm

Doh - forgot about that.

Post by **KernowPete** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:28 pm

Lig wrote:Hi all,

Same happens to mine, and its the brakes binding. Strange thing is that I dont use the hand brake as I have a pebbled drive and there are nice 'grooves' for the tyres to sit but it still does it if it is left for a week or so. And I am pretty sure its the fronts that bind (doesnt the hand brake only operate the rears??)

So trying without the hand brake may make no difference. But from your description I would say its deffo the brakes and nothing to worry about.

Lig.

Lig, mine does the same occasionally. I always park in the garage and leave the handbrake off to avoid the pads sticking, but sometimes they do anyway

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