Grinding & Clunk into Reverse Gear

[n_balkau]

Since I first bought this car brand new, I've had difficulty shifting into the reverse gear. It only occurs when you first engage the clutch and shift into reverse. But, if you leave the clutch engaged, you can go in and out of reverse with no problem. (But when in real life are you really ever doing that?).

There will be a large grinding and clunking sound. The car will buck and at the end of the throw, the clutch will have a small vibration.

I've brought the car into the dealer two times. The first time they said it was normal. The second, and most recent time, they had the nerve to tell me that I was shifting incorrectly. Unless I take 5-7 seconds to shift into reverse, it will do this every single time. This is not normal and has nothing to do with how I'm shifting.

Has anyone had similar issues or have any idea as to what the problem may be?

 

[ChrisJ]

Since I first bought this car brand new, I've had difficulty shifting into the reverse gear. It only occurs when you first engage the clutch and shift into reverse. But, if you leave the clutch engaged, you can go in and out of reverse with no problem. (But when in real life are you really ever doing that?).

There will be a large grinding and clunking sound. The car will buck and at the end of the throw, the clutch will have a small vibration.

I've brought the car into the dealer two times. The first time they said it was normal. The second, and most recent time, they had the nerve to tell me that I was shifting incorrectly. Unless I take 5-7 seconds to shift into reverse, it will do this every single time. This is not normal and has nothing to do with how I'm shifting.

Has anyone had similar issues or have any idea as to what the problem may be?

If you have a 1.8 with the 5 speed then yes this is normal and has been on most cars for 100 years. Step on the clutch and shift into a forward gear before going into reverse, it will stop the input shaft from spinning so it won't grind. If it won't go into reverse then let the clutch up slowly and the gears will move a little and line up. This isn't a load of B.S as you stated in your other thread, its the way the machine works and anyone that has driven for any length of time knows this.


If you have a 1.4 with a 6 speed then you have a synchronized reverse (which was rare on cars until recently) and it is not normal.


So if you have a 1.8 then you are the problem. If its a 1.4 then something is wrong.

 

[n_balkau]

If you have a 1.8 with the 5 speed then yes this is normal and has been on most cars for 100 years. Step on the clutch and shift into a forward gear before going into reverse, it will stop the input shaft from spinning so it won't grind. If it won't go into reverse then let the clutch up slowly and the gears will move a little and line up. This isn't a load of B.S as you stated in your other thread, its the way the machine works and anyone that has driven for any length of time knows this.


If you have a 1.4 with a 6 speed then you have a synchronized reverse (which was rare on cars until recently) and it is not normal.


So if you have a 1.8 then you are the problem. If its a 1.4 then something is wrong.

I have driven numerous standards and have NEVER had this problem. If you have no problem driving around in a poorly made and cheap car, that's fine. But I surely don't. & don't tell me (as you've stated in the other thread) that double clutching is too much work. I have no problem with double clutching, so don't insinuate that I do. I was simply inquiring about the issue I've come across. That's what forums are for. People are going to stop posting if you're just going to be so judgmental.

 

[ChrisJ]

I have driven numerous standards and have NEVER had this problem. If you have no problem driving around in a poorly made and cheap car, that's fine. But I surely don't. & don't tell me (as you've stated in the other thread) that double clutching is too much work. I have no problem with double clutching, so don't insinuate that I do. I was simply inquiring about the issue I've come across. That's what forums are for. People are going to stop posting if you're just going to be so judgmental.

So which trans do you have? If you have a 5 speed and can't figure out how to drive a car with a non-synchronized reverse there is no way you can drive a vehicle with no synchronized forward gears. I'll believe a lot but not that, sorry.

There is nothing poorly made about a trans with a non-synchronized reverse.

Like I said, take the advise or leave it. You will be the one damaging your trans and making a fool out of your self at the dealer, not me.

 

[sx sonic]

If you have a 1.8 with the 5 speed then yes this is normal and has been on most cars for 100 years. Step on the clutch and shift into a forward gear before going into reverse, it will stop the input shaft from spinning so it won't grind. If it won't go into reverse then let the clutch up slowly and the gears will move a little and line up. This isn't a load of B.S as you stated in your other thread, its the way the machine works and anyone that has driven for any length of time knows this.


If you have a 1.4 with a 6 speed then you have a synchronized reverse (which was rare on cars until recently) and it is not normal.


So if you have a 1.8 then you are the problem. If its a 1.4 then something is wrong.

This.

 

[River_Rat]

Interesting. I did not realize that the M32 had a synchronized reverse. Not that it would make any difference as I always shift into first before going into reverse anyway.

 

[ChrisJ]

Interesting. I did not realize that the M32 had a synchronized reverse. Not that it would make any difference as I always shift into first before going into reverse anyway.

Yep, that it does.
However I'm with you, I couldn't care less about it. The only thing nice is you can shift into reverse while still rolling slowly but in the end who really cares.

 

[n_balkau]

So which trans do you have? If you have a 5 speed and can't figure out how to drive a car with a non-synchronized reverse there is no way you can drive a vehicle with no synchronized forward gears. I'll believe a lot but not that, sorry.

There is nothing poorly made about a trans with a non-synchronized reverse.

Like I said, take the advise or leave it. You will be the one damaging your trans and making a fool out of your self at the dealer, not me.

I have a 1.8L. I didn't say I wasn't taking your advice, but the whole point of me posting on this forum in the first place was to learn or try to figure out what it was, not to be belittled. I've had only manual vehicles, and never encountered this before, which prompted me to try to learn more about it, that's all. Thanks for the advice though.

You wouldn't happen to know anything about grinding while breaking would you? I'm going to post another thread, but thought I'd ask anyways. It doesn't happen all the time, but once in a while when I'm breaking, there will be a loud grinding and shuttering from right underneath the break. I took it in and they said my rotors were warped so they just resurfaced them. But the grinding is still occurring. Does resurfacing really do anything to the rotors or should they have been replaced all together? Or do you think there is something else that's causing this besides the rotors? Any input would be helpful.

 

[ChrisJ]

I have a 1.8L. I didn't say I wasn't taking your advice, but the whole point of me posting on this forum in the first place was to learn or try to figure out what it was, not to be belittled. I've had only manual vehicles, and never encountered this before, which prompted me to try to learn more about it, that's all. Thanks for the advice though.

You wouldn't happen to know anything about grinding while breaking would you? I'm going to post another thread, but thought I'd ask anyways. It doesn't happen all the time, but once in a while when I'm breaking, there will be a loud grinding and shuttering from right underneath the break. I took it in and they said my rotors were warped so they just resurfaced them. But the grinding is still occurring. Does resurfacing really do anything to the rotors or should they have been replaced all together? Or do you think there is something else that's causing this besides the rotors? Any input would be helpful.

Perhaps I came across as harsh, however I thought the fact your dealer told you it was normal and you saying it was bull**** was a bit much. Not that dealers always tell the truth, but this time they were.

Any chance the grinding is just the ABS kicking in?
As far as resurfacing there is a lot of controversy on that. Some claim the rotors literally warp. Some claim the surface gets worn uneven due to hot pads ripping a coating that forms off when you release the brakes after stopping hard.

Personally I have no idea what actually does it but resurfacing should fix both. I baby the hell out of my Sonic's brakes and yet still ended up with a hint of it after 28K. My next rotors will be slotted.

 

[n_balkau]

Perhaps I came across as harsh, however I thought the fact your dealer told you it was normal and you saying it was bull**** was a bit much. Not that dealers always tell the truth, but this time they were.

Any chance the grinding is just the ABS kicking in?
As far as resurfacing there is a lot of controversy on that. Some claim the rotors literally warp. Some claim the surface gets worn uneven due to hot pads ripping a coating that forms off when you release the brakes after stopping hard.

Personally I have no idea what actually does it but resurfacing should fix both. I baby the hell out of my Sonic's brakes and yet still ended up with a hint of it after 28K. My next rotors will be slotted.

Hey, no worries. I don't trust dealerships any more than I'd trust a crook. & I personally didn't appreciate how the dealership spoke to me, which is why I thought it was bull****. Instead of telling me that I was shifting wrong, he could have explained that with this type of vehicle I needed to shift into a forward gear first then into reverse. Would have made a lot more sense.

Anyways, I suppose it could be the ABS kicking in. I've kept a log as to when it occurs most, and many of the times it's been on slippery or icy conditions, guess I never made the connection between the two. But is that normal for the ABS to make sure a loud sound like that? Every time it happens I let off the break because I'm afraid I'm going to do more harm to it. But in the event I actually need to break hard or something, I'm nervous that could cause an issue. I'll definitely look further into the ABS though.

Regarding the rotors, I've heard mixed reviews about resurfacing and whether they do anything or not. Some say it's good enough and others say it's just a temporary fix. I only have a little over 20k and mine were warped, so maybe it's a common theme in Sonics. I suppose for the time being it's better than nothing.

Thanks for the input though!

 

[ChrisJ]

The ABS sounds like something gone horribly wrong.
I've heard it on snow / ice quite a bit and you would swear you're going to break something.

It sounds like your bumper fell off and got stuck under the car dragging against concrete.

 

[n_balkau]

The ABS sounds like something gone horribly wrong.
I've heard it on snow / ice quite a bit and you would swear you're going to break something.

It sounds like your bumper fell off and got stuck under the car dragging against concrete.

Yes! That's exactly it! I kept trying to explain to the dealership that it sounds like something is either under the car or that I feel like I'm breaking on the actual road or am about to come right through the bottom of the car. That's relieving that it's probably the ABS and not something really serious. I assume that's normal and there's not anything they can do for that right? Again, I've never had this happen in any of my other vehicles so I'm not sure.

 

[ChrisJ]

Yes! That's exactly it! I kept trying to explain to the dealership that it sounds like something is either under the car or that I feel like I'm breaking on the actual road or am about to come right through the bottom of the car. That's relieving that it's probably the ABS and not something really serious. I assume that's normal and there's not anything they can do for that right? Again, I've never had this happen in any of my other vehicles so I'm not sure.

Yep, its just the way it is.
The reverse gear is common, or at least used to be. In fact many if not most cars didn't even have a synchronized 1st gear either so 1st acted like your reverse does.

The ABS............ I don't know whats up with that other than it seems to work fine and all of them are the same.

 

[n_balkau]

Yep, its just the way it is.
The reverse gear is common, or at least used to be. In fact many if not most cars didn't even have a synchronized 1st gear either so 1st acted like your reverse does.

The ABS............ I don't know whats up with that other than it seems to work fine and all of them are the same.

Ok, that makes much more sense. Thank you!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

n_balkau,

Let us know if you would like for us to reach out to your dealership on your behalf. You can always private message us your name, VIN, mileage, phone number, and dealership.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[sx sonic]

The braking noise does sound alot like ABS activation, It's quite grating, like a quick repetitive grinding noise. You should also notice a pulsation in the peddle when It's making the noise.

If you've got some slick, open parking lots right now you could test it out with a firm brake application at slow speeds (like 10-20 mph).

If the noise occurs with firm braking and not real light braking the noise is normal.

 

[lgj777]

Hi. I am new to this forum. I am not sure if this thread is still active. I am a new member, and frustrated with my formely beloved 2014 Sonic 1.4 Turbo. I just had to have the Turbo charger replaces after only 80,000 miles. It took the dealer three weeks to find a part. Now, there is a loud clunking noise almost every time i put the car into reverse-- in particular when i have to turn the wheels to get in or out of a parking spot. since i live in the city, I have to do that a lot. First--is there ANY possible connection between the replacement of the turbo charger and this noise? And also, any ideas on what the noise is? Engine mount? axle? Thank you very much.