Manual trans rumble noises

TylerD · 04-10-2017, 07:16 AM

Hi everybody,

my manual transmission (2012 N55) happens to make these scary noises when driving at certain gears and speed. Gears can be shifted without any problems though, smooth and easy like it should be.

That rumbling or scratching sound appears in higher gears (4th and above) and only starts at like 40-60kph. It is still there at higher speeds, but gets overlayed by wind/tyre sounds. It is pretty quiet normally, but I can provoke it to be quite noticable.

So I took my car on a ramp, deactivated DSC with rear wheels running free and shifted through gears until I found the speed where the noise can be heard the most (4th gear, around 55kph coming from 80kph, keeping it at 55kph while continue to record). Camera was under the car, so the noise could be heard best.

135i_manual_trans_noise.mp3

I found some threads on different forums where people seem to have the same problem, but I can only guess that. No real conclusion was found other than having it changed by BMW, because they seem to know that problem. BMW says in one of their PUMA notes that this sound is harmless and can only be heard by people with sensitive ears. I dont believe that.

Anyone with similar noises? Did a trans oil change help maybe?

MightyMouseTech · 04-10-2017, 08:05 AM

Does the CV joint recall apply to your car?

HawkeyeGeoff · 04-10-2017, 08:20 AM

Highly recommend giving a gear oil change a shot; sometimes this will quiet down the condition you are hearing.

What I hear could possibly be a gear that wasn't pressed on 100% or one is out of round. Thanks ZF. From ones I've seen in the past this usually can only be solved by swapping the whole unit. Most of the time rebuilds wont even get this right. I'd look for a used trans if the fresh fluid doesn't calm it down.

TylerD · 04-10-2017, 08:24 AM

@mightymousetech

Never heard of that before, thank you for pointing that out. The noise comes from the output side of the trans as far as i can tell.
I would really like to believe in just a failing joint, but somehow that noise sound more like coming from the inside of the trans. Could be wrong though and hope to be wrong

Also, i read about that CV joint recall and it seems only cars with production date before 2012 are affected.

@hawkeyegoeff

Well, it is present in the last three gears and maybe even below, but since you dont reach that speed in third with low rpm, maybe its there also but too quiet.

Overall the joint problem would explain why it affects (probably) all gears while not having any physical issues.

Other suggestions/experiences for/with this maybe?
Oh and by the way, I am from Germany, so maybe this particular recall is not a thing over here.

TylerD · 04-10-2017, 09:09 AM

I dont want to spam, but just checked some stuff.

Isnt the CV joint the one that goes into the differential?
The noise is definately coming from the rear end of the transmission, the other side.
Could only be the universal joint then.

Well, I guess it aint the joint then... back to the start. Will probably try the oil change now

04-10-2017, 07:16 AM	#1
TylerD Private 22 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Manual trans rumble noises Hi everybody, my manual transmission (2012 N55) happens to make these scary noises when driving at certain gears and speed. Gears can be shifted without any problems though, smooth and easy like it should be. That rumbling or scratching sound appears in higher gears (4th and above) and only starts at like 40-60kph. It is still there at higher speeds, but gets overlayed by wind/tyre sounds. It is pretty quiet normally, but I can provoke it to be quite noticable. So I took my car on a ramp, deactivated DSC with rear wheels running free and shifted through gears until I found the speed where the noise can be heard the most (4th gear, around 55kph coming from 80kph, keeping it at 55kph while continue to record). Camera was under the car, so the noise could be heard best. 135i_manual_trans_noise.mp3 I found some threads on different forums where people seem to have the same problem, but I can only guess that. No real conclusion was found other than having it changed by BMW, because they seem to know that problem. BMW says in one of their PUMA notes that this sound is harmless and can only be heard by people with sensitive ears. I dont believe that. Anyone with similar noises? Did a trans oil change help maybe?
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04-10-2017, 08:05 AM	#2
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Does the CV joint recall apply to your car?
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04-10-2017, 08:20 AM	#3
HawkeyeGeoff Captain 263 Rep 620 Posts Drives: E90 335XI MSport, S2000 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Waterford, MI iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i XDrive [0.00] 2001 Honda S2000 [0.00]	Highly recommend giving a gear oil change a shot; sometimes this will quiet down the condition you are hearing. What I hear could possibly be a gear that wasn't pressed on 100% or one is out of round. Thanks ZF. From ones I've seen in the past this usually can only be solved by swapping the whole unit. Most of the time rebuilds wont even get this right. I'd look for a used trans if the fresh fluid doesn't calm it down.
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04-10-2017, 08:24 AM	#4
TylerD Private 22 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	@mightymousetech Never heard of that before, thank you for pointing that out. The noise comes from the output side of the trans as far as i can tell. I would really like to believe in just a failing joint, but somehow that noise sound more like coming from the inside of the trans. Could be wrong though and hope to be wrong Also, i read about that CV joint recall and it seems only cars with production date before 2012 are affected. @hawkeyegoeff Well, it is present in the last three gears and maybe even below, but since you dont reach that speed in third with low rpm, maybe its there also but too quiet. Overall the joint problem would explain why it affects (probably) all gears while not having any physical issues. Other suggestions/experiences for/with this maybe? Oh and by the way, I am from Germany, so maybe this particular recall is not a thing over here. Last edited by TylerD; 04-10-2017 at 08:40 AM..
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04-10-2017, 09:09 AM	#5
TylerD Private 22 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	I dont want to spam, but just checked some stuff. Isnt the CV joint the one that goes into the differential? The noise is definately coming from the rear end of the transmission, the other side. Could only be the universal joint then. Well, I guess it aint the joint then... back to the start. Will probably try the oil change now
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