Loud clunking noise in 6-spd transmission (updated with pics)

Thik · 08-04-2013, 03:38 PM

So everytime there's a load change, the drivetrain makes a loud 'thump' sound. This includes everytime I change gears, accelerating and decelerating. When letting off the gas at higher rpm's, the transmission gives a loud whining noise all the way down to idle. The car drives fine and the clutch is not slipping even at WOT in high gears.

The car is stock 2010 with 40,000 miles. The noise has only became much louder the last few days. I'm taking it to the dealership in the coming week. Hopefully whatever it is, will be covered under warranty.

Any ideas guys?

edwinm3 · 08-04-2013, 04:36 PM

Sounds like it could be the diff

JEllis · 08-04-2013, 05:53 PM

I am also thinking the thunk might be the diff but worth having the drivetrain checked out.

Jason

///M Power-Belgium · 08-04-2013, 05:57 PM

Sounds nok...go asap to your BMW dealer !

BPMSport · 08-04-2013, 08:34 PM

Could be diff, something wrong with the pressure plate or clutch, or an issue with the transmission or engine mounts.

Might be something else but those are the first three that come to mind.

W/// · 08-04-2013, 08:49 PM

Diff bolt maybe?

Thik · 08-05-2013, 12:16 PM

So after reading your posts, I did a search for Dif bolt breaking. It looks more and more like that's what happened. The differential bolt broke. It got worse after I gunned it and maybe loosened it up more.

Anyways, here are some pics that may give additional clues:

Notice how the differential is not horizontal to the chasis. There's also a spot on the right that looked like rubbed against other metal.

I'm going to take the car to the dealership this week since they are not open today. Will keep posted.

s65e90 · 08-05-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

So after reading your posts, I did a search for Dif bolt breaking. It looks more and more like that's what happened. The differential bolt broke. It got worse after I gunned it and maybe loosened it up more.

Anyways, here are some pics that may give additional clues:

Notice how the differential is not horizontal to the chasis. There's also a spot on the right that looked like rubbed against other metal.

I'm going to take the car to the dealership this week since they are not open today. Will keep posted.

hard to tell due to the car being parked next to the curb like that, but I would be pretty confident (99%) that the diff bolt broke. Clunking is from the diff shifting and the whining is cause it's all out of alignment. Sucks to see but should be able to get fixed ASAP!

(if not under warranty it's also a fairly easy job to do)

SHADY1 · 08-06-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

So after reading your posts, I did a search for Dif bolt breaking. It looks more and more like that's what happened. The differential bolt broke. It got worse after I gunned it and maybe loosened it up more.

Anyways, here are some pics that may give additional clues:

Notice how the differential is not horizontal to the chasis. There's also a spot on the right that looked like rubbed against other metal.

I'm going to take the car to the dealership this week since they are not open today. Will keep posted.

Your diff bolt is broken and that means your bushing are most likely worn and you need to change them. I broke my diff bolt 5 times on the 3rd time is when I notice the bad bushing was causing it to break. After the 5th time I got really pissed and I installed Turner Motor Sport Solid Aluminum Race bushing no more diff bolt breaking ever again

take a look

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=843389&page=4

Your Stealership should cover this under warranty, since its your first time.

Longwong · 08-06-2013, 08:16 PM

5 times seems excessive. Was there any other cause of this continuing to break?

Thik · 08-07-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHADY1

Your diff bolt is broken and that means your bushing are most likely worn and you need to change them. I broke my diff bolt 5 times on the 3rd time is when I notice the bad bushing was causing it to break. After the 5th time I got really pissed and I installed Turner Motor Sport Solid Aluminum Race bushing no more diff bolt breaking ever again

take a look

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=843389&page=4

Your Stealership should cover this under warranty, since its your first time.

Thanks for the input.

N00b question: what's a bushing and is there a part number for it? I'll insist that the dealership replace that as well. Thanks.

The dealership is booked up until Friday, so more waiting for me.

MilehighM3 · 08-07-2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lute

Wow Thik, that diff is more sideways than Derple and Longwong on the track at the same time

pkimM3r · 08-07-2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lute

Wow Thik, that diff is more sideways than Derple and Longwong on the track at the same time

Derple gets sideways on the way to the track.

SHADY1 · 08-08-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

Thanks for the input.

N00b question: what's a bushing and is there a part number for it? I'll insist that the dealership replace that as well. Thanks.

The dealership is booked up until Friday, so more waiting for me.

If you look in the thread I sent you I posted pics of my old worn out rubber bushing that caused the diff bolt to break. You will also see a pic of the silver aluminum solid race bushing I had installed on my car.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=843389&page=4

e92livin · 08-08-2013, 11:17 PM

diffff!

Thik · 08-14-2013, 05:47 PM

Update:
The clunking was due to the differential bolt being sheared off the bracket, causing the bracket to bang against the dif everytime there's a load change.

Dealer replaced the bolt under warranty with no fuss. They inspected the bushing and said it was in good condition.

Bluesummer · 08-18-2013, 03:45 PM

I notice it's primarily 6MT guys in this thread that has the diff bolt problems, has anyone with DCT encounter the same problem?

SHADY1 · 08-19-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longwong

5 times seems excessive. Was there any other cause of this continuing to break?

The bushing was the problem the first 3 times no one look at the bushing.

08-04-2013, 03:38 PM	#1
Thik First Lieutenant 140 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Loud clunking noise in 6-spd transmission (updated with pics) So everytime there's a load change, the drivetrain makes a loud 'thump' sound. This includes everytime I change gears, accelerating and decelerating. When letting off the gas at higher rpm's, the transmission gives a loud whining noise all the way down to idle. The car drives fine and the clutch is not slipping even at WOT in high gears. The car is stock 2010 with 40,000 miles. The noise has only became much louder the last few days. I'm taking it to the dealership in the coming week. Hopefully whatever it is, will be covered under warranty. Any ideas guys? Last edited by Thik; 08-05-2013 at 12:25 PM..
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08-04-2013, 04:36 PM	#2
edwinm3 Brigadier General 979 Rep 4,001 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Broward iTrader: (32)	Sounds like it could be the diff __________________ Grigio Telesto M4, 6MT. Coyote 5.0 F-150 991 GT3
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08-04-2013, 05:53 PM	#3
JEllis Major General 531 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	I am also thinking the thunk might be the diff but worth having the drivetrain checked out. Jason __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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08-04-2013, 05:57 PM	#4
///M Power-Belgium General 63071 Rep 24,609 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Sounds nok...go asap to your BMW dealer ! __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
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08-04-2013, 08:34 PM	#5
BPMSport BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	Could be diff, something wrong with the pressure plate or clutch, or an issue with the transmission or engine mounts. Might be something else but those are the first three that come to mind. __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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08-04-2013, 08:49 PM	#6
W/// Lieutenant General 7484 Rep 12,305 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	Diff bolt maybe? __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
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08-05-2013, 12:16 PM	#7
Thik First Lieutenant 140 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	So after reading your posts, I did a search for Dif bolt breaking. It looks more and more like that's what happened. The differential bolt broke. It got worse after I gunned it and maybe loosened it up more. Anyways, here are some pics that may give additional clues: Notice how the differential is not horizontal to the chasis. There's also a spot on the right that looked like rubbed against other metal. I'm going to take the car to the dealership this week since they are not open today. Will keep posted.
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08-06-2013, 08:16 PM	#10
Longwong Banned 38 Rep 370 Posts Drives: e92 m3 catless Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	5 times seems excessive. Was there any other cause of this continuing to break?
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08-08-2013, 11:17 PM	#15
e92livin Major 74 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Orlando iTrader: (7)	diffff! __________________ 2008 E92 BMW M3 MR/BB 6MT \|Gintani Supercharged\|Gintani X-Pipe\|Stack Gauges\|Volk TE37SL\|BC Racing Coilovers\|Nitto NT05R \|BMW Performance Spoiler\|BMW Performance Steering Wheel\|BMW Performance Side Gills + Grilles\|Mode Carbon V1 Endurance\|IND Tri- Stitched Shift + Brake Boot - 566WHP, 371WTQ \|
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08-14-2013, 05:47 PM	#16
Thik First Lieutenant 140 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Update: The clunking was due to the differential bolt being sheared off the bracket, causing the bracket to bang against the dif everytime there's a load change. Dealer replaced the bolt under warranty with no fuss. They inspected the bushing and said it was in good condition.
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08-18-2013, 03:45 PM	#17
Bluesummer Lieutenant General 588 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: slower than Ayrton Senna Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (15) Garage List 2017 BMW X5M [0.00] 2015 M4 [0.00] 2011 E82 135 [0.00] 2011 M3 [0.00] 2007 335 [0.00]	I notice it's primarily 6MT guys in this thread that has the diff bolt problems, has anyone with DCT encounter the same problem? __________________ IG:d.violet.m3
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