Clunking noise from gear change mechanism

[ex-Chinese Dave]

As you may know I’ve been chasing every noise on this car since I got it. There is this strange clunking noise that I hear went on and off the throttle very very gently at different speeds, and also when I am changing gear. The gearbox has been refreshed by Mark so I know the internals are fine. However, I have looked under the car and there is nothing loose that I can see apart from the gear change mechanism. Obviously this has to have movement but just look at this video and see if this is normal, which I suspect it is, and also if there is anything I can do to reduce the amount of play if it is not. The clunking noise also happens when I am about to stop the car but I don’t dip the clutch as normal. The vibration from the engine almost stalling makes the noise happen quite loud. As the mechanism is the only loose thing under the car, I’m sure it has to be this. If this is not normal then is there a way to reduce the amount of vibration, movement here? It also had the new brass bush fitted to the selector when the gearbox was re-fitted.
This is one of those irritating noises that I would not be able to put into a video as you just wouldn’t hear it. If someone was sat in the car with me, they would obviously hear it. Or maybe this car just is making me paranoid.😱

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I tried to see if there was anything I could do to dampen the movement and hopefully get some kind of result to point me in the right direction. There is nothing I can do that won’t restrict the movement of the mechanism. I did notice that the spring, near to where my hand is, is possibly weak. There is a shaft that goes into the gearbox and I think that when you put it into reverse gear, the shaft moves up and down. The spring that is there seems to offer only a little resistance, meaning it’s very easy for my hand to push the gear change mechanism upwards. Is this spring something that can be upgraded? If so, I guess that that would hold that shaft in the down position for changing gear but would still allow the movement to put it into reverse. Am I making any sense here? Or should I just go back to bed?

 

[I Changed My Name]

That selector noise is normal

They do clunky into gears. The only place they would have play is at the red bushings under the shifter tower. But if they had that much play you'd be struggling to get gears consistently

I would look at balljoints/lower arms/rack bushes personally. That's going to be the most likely cause if you've replaced all of your engine mounts

The spring on the selector is purely just to keep tension on the selector arm so it doesn't just slop around and the shift feels more direct

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

The ball joints, track rod ends and ARB are all new. We didn’t replace the two bushes in each wishbone due to time but there is no suspension knock from anywhere so I doubt it’s them. They look in good condition.

Is there anything under the gearstick itself that can be replaced or adjusted?

 

[Darren S]

Did it does those noises before all the work was done?

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

When I first bought the car it felt pretty tight but the more miles I put on it the looser it got. It had only done 1.5k in about 11 years so time caught up with it pretty fast (hence all the new bits). I'm fairly sure this noise was always there but I couldn't distinguish it from all the others. Take that squeak for example. You could not hear that until the suspension was refreshed and after it drove me mad. Turned out it was a worn top engine mount and even fitting a decent used one solved that. Drive over speed bumps and uneven roads and you don't hear this clunk, but curl your toes on and off the gas pedal at 35 and you can hear it.

 

[Darren S]

It's frustrating that it will be something and nothing. The last noise that annoyed me turned out to be a worn top engine mount.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

It's frustrating that it will be something and nothing. The last noise that annoyed me turned out to be a worn top engine mount.

Was it a squeaking noise, when you were going over speed bumps etc?

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Driving home tonight on a smooth road surface (yes, there are still some of these left) I can make the noise happen if I dab the clutch a little when traveling at 30ish in 4th and 5th gear. It’s had a new clutch pack when the gearbox was fitted so surely it can’t be that. I really need to get the car back on the axle stands and have a good fettle but I’m still leaning towards gear linkage being the cause.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I’m sure I’m boring the forum with this now….

I’ve noticed that when the car is cold, before it gets up to temp, I don’t hear this noise as much. Probably just me but I thought I’d just add it.

(Disclaimer: “It’s 22 years old, just turn your f***ing radio up!”)

 

[I Changed My Name]

Check the balljoints haven't come loose and ovalled the wishbones

Or that the subframe holes haven't ovalled

It could literally be anything

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

"It could literally be anything" totally explains my car lol

It just passed an MOT last week with no advisories. I just know this will end up being something stupid like someones left a hammer on top of the exhaust!

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

After a bit of searching I found this old link on here...

Parts diagram needed for Gear linkage

I need to find some parts diagrams if possible of the gear linkage from and including the selector arm all the way the the shifter, Does anyone have any? Part numbers for the parts would be ideal also! Thanks in advance :) James

cliosport.net

It contains this video...



From 4 to 14 seconds the sound this chap is getting is very similar to what I hear. I think the video maybe from a phase 1 car but the sound is almost the same.

I'm going to try the easy idea first and change the gear selector spring. I don't know if it's well worn but I can easily push the mechanism against it with little effort. I think this is the correct part...

Renault Clio Megane Spring Mechanism 7700110500 - Renault Parts Direct

Renault Clio Megane Spring Mechanism 7700110500 - Renault Parts Direct - Renault Parts Direct is a web based service from our authorised Renault dealer.

renaultpartsdirect.co.uk

Is there anything else I could change on the linkage that may also help?

I also think that the hook on the longer piece is missing from mine as it is just straight. Maybe it's an earlier part and is meant to be that way but Christ knows.

"Jesus Christ, look at this Cup!"

 

[I Changed My Name]

The selector return spring might have rusted. They do wear away too

I had one the other week that was basically paper-thin in one spot

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

So i'll order the spring from RPD. Is there anything else that I should order that is a DIY fitment job?

 

[Brigsy]

Selector sounds normal to me.

The selector return spring might have rusted. They do wear away too

I had one the other week that was basically paper-thin in one spot

Mine snapped on my orange dci, years ago. Not noticed much difference without it 😅

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Parts cannon back on active duty.

Part ordered as well as this..

Renault Clio 172 182 Gear Selector Bush With Circlip

Renault Clio 172 182 Gear Selector Bush With Circlip - Renault Parts Direct - Renault Parts Direct is a web based service from our authorised Renault dealer.

renaultpartsdirect.co.uk

 

[npt]

That's fine, if its just when accelerating it has to be either shafts, hubs, engine or box touching something, get it on axle stands, fire it up and have a mate find the issue

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Well, well, well.

Today I fitted the new spring that is attached to the gear linkage mechanism and although on the video it looks like it’s not seated properly, that’s as good as it gets. The old spring was worn and a little twisted so probably need changing anyway. I didn't changed the nylon bush and circlip simply because I didn't have any time if I had ran into any problems. It didn’t feel like there was that much play in it anyway. I checked everything else underneath and I couldn’t find anything loose or damaged at all. I shook the exhaust vigorously and it didn't knocking against anything.

I let the car get up to temp before starting to listen for the clunk and it is way less than before. I'll go as far to say that I couldn't hear anything at times. I changed gear the same way as usual, not too gently but not ramming the stick, and nothing. I did the lightly tapping the throttle at 35 on and off and couldn't get the sound to happen. Possibly solved? Let's see how it goes over the next few days.

If you look at the vid and see where my fingers are you'll know there is a shaft above that which goes into the gearbox. I don't know what is on the inside of the box where the shaft goes in and out but is there a bush or something that may have broken or is there just the spring I fitted that dampens the movement? I have checked everywhere else and nothing is loose. I'm thinking that when I change gear/go on and off the throttle gently and the engine/box rock about then this shaft is knocking/touching the box housing and that is causing the noise. The box has recently been refurbished so i'm hoping that it was just this spring that although it looked ok was worn. I know that Clios are no RR's and there are plenty of noises but this was annoying. The squeaking noise I had a few months ago turned out the be a top engine mount that looked fine, much like the spring I changed today.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

After a few drives today and tonight this is 90% sorted. The new spring has definitely made a huge difference meaning the noise is coming from shaft that goes into the box touching the side of the box. Not sure if I can dampen the noise any more but I’ll have a look at a diagram showing what does what and try and work something out. If that shaft was made of plastic it would make a sound, I’m sure of it. I’m also sure it would last one gear change before breaking, too.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I thought this was put to bed...I was wrong. The spring being fitted has helped, but last night I was on a smooth road with no traffic and thought I'd test how good my 'repair' has been. At 35 in 5th I touch my toes on and off the gas gently and I can hear the same sound, the clunk. It's all the same as before...there are no knocks from the suspension at all but gear changes have to be ultra smooth to prevent the noise. I'd love for someone close by to have a listen at some point, just to get another take on what it is. It's a pity as the car drives perfectly and maybe this is an easy fix. It's had a new clutch pack fitted and a recon box fitted. It'll be something stupid.....

 

[Matt Cup]

I thought this was put to bed...I was wrong. The spring being fitted has helped, but last night I was on a smooth road with no traffic and thought I'd test how good my 'repair' has been. At 35 in 5th I touch my toes on and off the gas gently and I can hear the same sound, the clunk. It's all the same as before...there are no knocks from the suspension at all but gear changes have to be ultra smooth to prevent the noise. I'd love for someone close by to have a listen at some point, just to get another take on what it is. It's a pity as the car drives perfectly and maybe this is an easy fix. It's had a new clutch pack fitted and a recon box fitted. It'll be something stupid.....

More than welcome to pop over to ours and we can compare it with mine?

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Thanks Matt. I'll message you over the weekend. I'm busy all day tomorrow so lets see how we stand after then. Cheers.

 

[Brigsy]

5th gear is too low for 35mph. That must be near idle rpm surely and throttle will labour the engine having it rock all over possivly exaggerating the issue.

40 onwards for 5th.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

The car is fairly comfortable at 35 in fifth gear, as long as there’s no heavy load on the engine. Obviously you wouldn’t try and go up a steep hill like this. It will pull fine at that speed in fifth gear also.

I get what you’re saying about the engine rocking, but that is not happening here. I’ll demonstrate to Matt when I see him but I’m sure that what’s happening with mine is excessive noise.

 

[Louis]

35 in 5th is bonkers??? Id be in 3rd close to going into 4th.

If you need a gearbox I've one available 👀

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

That’s is

35 in 5th is bonkers??? Id be in 3rd close to going into 4th.

If you need a gearbox I've one available 👀

Thanks for the offer but the gearbox is a recently rebuilt item.

 

[Brigsy]

Id say every car, if laboured/lugged at low rpm in a high gear will make unwanted noises.

Classic example is oap driving whatever manual car and crawling along in 3rd gear at idle with the engine and drivetrain knocking its bollox off.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Id say every car, if laboured/lugged at low rpm in a high gear will make unwanted noises.

Classic example is oap driving whatever manual car and crawling along in 3rd gear at idle with the engine and drivetrain knocking its bollox off.

lol that’s not me… I hope.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Classic example is oap driving whatever manual car and crawling along in 3rd gear at idle with the engine and drivetrain knocking its bollox off.

 

[VXR killer]

Has the dog bone mount been done/upgraded?

 

[Matt Cup]

Id say every car, if laboured/lugged at low rpm in a high gear will make unwanted noises.

Classic example is oap driving whatever manual car and crawling along in 3rd gear at idle with the engine and drivetrain knocking its bollox off.

Whenever I think of old people driving it isn’t them labouring the gearbox, it’s them doing this.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Has the dog bone mount been done/upgraded?

Yes, everything has been refreshed.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Back onto this little gem…

I’ve been under the car this morning on the driveway. As you can probably imagine there is not much room to even move your arms around. When I move the gear selector rod back-and-forth and also pressing it up and then move it back-and-forth again so that I’m selecting gears 1 to 4, I think, I can feel play within this black rubber surround. I peeled it back as far as I could and there is a 13 mm nut which is tight. There’s little grease inside but it is lubricated. If I move the gear selector rod gently, I can feel free play. Is this normal? I’m guessing that if there was no free playing in this it may help eliminate this clunky noise I have when I change gear and come on and off the clutch pedal. There’s nothing else loose under the car and it’s had a new clutch pack fitted last year. Everything is secure and there is only the gear selector rod that actually moves. I know that there may be some free play under the gear lever

itself inside the car, but I can’t access that. The clunking noise definitely comes from this area near to the rubber surround.

Is there a kit or a procedure to change this? I just don’t think I have enough room to do this on the drive.

 

[Louis]

Back onto this little gem…

I’ve been under the car this morning on the driveway. As you can probably imagine there is not much room to even move your arms around. When I move the gear selector rod back-and-forth and also pressing it up and then move it back-and-forth again so that I’m selecting gears 1 to 4, I think, I can feel play within this black rubber surround. I peeled it back as far as I could and there is a 13 mm nut which is tight. There’s little grease inside but it is lubricated. If I move the gear selector rod gently, I can feel free play. Is this normal? I’m guessing that if there was no free playing in this it may help eliminate this clunky noise I have when I change gear and come on and off the clutch pedal. There’s nothing else loose under the car and it’s had a new clutch pack fitted last year. Everything is secure and there is only the gear selector rod that actually moves. I know that there may be some free play under the gear leverView attachment 1775961 itself inside the car, but I can’t access that. The clunking noise definitely comes from this area near to the rubber surround.

Is there a kit or a procedure to change this? I just don’t think I have enough room to do this on the drive.

Thata always going to clunk. Was the little white selector bush replaced with the box refurb?

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Thata always going to clunk. Was the little white selector bush replaced with the box refurb?

If you mean the small one with the circlip that you can see from underneath then yes. It was fitted a few months back.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I've tried my best to describe this noise and how it happens. It will do it in different situations but an example is if you are in 3rd gear at around 20 mph, dip the clutch pedal and release it quickly you hear the clunk.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Last night whilst driving home on quiet, smooth roads I thought I’d try a few different things to try and make this noise happen consistently. When I stopped the car with the engine running and press my foot on and off the clutch, whilst it’s in neutral, I do hear a light clunk from the front of the car. I’m guessing that this is normal as it’s just a clutch plate operating. Am I right to say this?

On those smooth roads if I change gear normally I really don’t hear anything but if I leave it in fourth gear as I come up to a red light and don’t dip the clutch at the moment you should then the engine shudders, as it would do, and then I hear the clunking at its loudest. There is nothing loose on the clutch mechanism inside or outside of the car. It had a new clutch pack fitted last year and all the gear changes work as they should. Again, I’ve checked and there is nothing loose underneath the car. The only moving parts are in the gear linkage.

I am absolutely baffled by this. Part of me is thinking that there is something faulty within the clutch pack, and it’s that that is making this noise.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I drove home late last night when the roads were clear. I found a stretch of smooth road with no traffic and tried a few different things. I’m really not sure if this noise is worse when the engine is hot or cold, when the car has warmed up or whether it’s just started first thing in the morning. When I change gear, I hear the noise when I press my foot down on the clutch and also when I release the clutch pedal in the new gear. It definitely seems worse when I am in the lower gears compared with the higher gears. If I am driving along in any gear and press the clutch halfway down and release it quickly, I can hear the noise. I am absolutely convinced now that it is coming from something to do with the clutch mechanism. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? As I’ve said before, it’s had a new clutch pack fitted last year and it has a fully refurbished gearbox. I can’t find anything that the clutch cable is catching on and everything under the car is secure.

I really can’t investigate this any further now because that would mean stripping parts down from the gearbox/clutch and I’m not capable of doing that. It hasn’t got any worse and I don’t expect it to over the next few months so maybe this will have to be looked at when it goes for its next service. I’m sure everyone is utterly bored of me posting about this now so until I find something different or I’m giving some new advice I won’t post anything else until I have some positive news about what it is or how it has been solved.