6MT vibration/rattle sound from shifter in 2nd to 3rd gear...

[PowerGetter]

The sound is pretty prominent when shifting to 3rd gear as revs increase, then goes away when shifting into 4th. I don't have a sound clip -- but anyone hear something similar with their MT?

edit: clip added. You can hear it really well at 8 seconds.

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[BrettMRC]

No rattles on mine yet. (Other than the usual interior creaks and groans)

Does it sound/feel like it's transmission/driveline, or something else?

 

[PowerGetter]

a bit difficult to pinpoint. But my guess it's in the area of the shifter shaft/linkage area. Drove my daily to work today, I'll try to get a sound clip of it later.

 

[PowerGetter]

here's a clip. The rattle is prevalent at 8 seconds

 

[lucky phil]

Does it stop if you hold the shifter? So is it the shifter assy or is the shifter transmitting a noise from the engine or the gearbox.
What about the shifter boot trim etc?
Is it the std setup or do you have an aftermarket shift knob and boot setup?

Phil

 

[PowerGetter]

Does it stop if you hold the shifter? So is it the shifter assy or is the shifter transmitting a noise from the engine or the gearbox.
What about the shifter boot trim etc?
Is it the std setup or do you have an aftermarket shift knob and boot setup?

Phil

*Holding the knob or shifter will slightly make the rattling less pronounced
*I don't think the noise goes that deep to the gearbox -- to me it sounds like it's somewhere in the range of the assembly
*It's the standard/stock MT setup. No mods to the knob, boot, shaft, or assembly.

 

[BrettMRC]

With the engine off is there any lash/play in the gear linkage or gearstick?

(Mine is very firm with no play at all.)

 

[Stvee]

*Holding the knob or shifter will slightly make the rattling less pronounced
*I don't think the noise goes that deep to the gearbox -- to me it sounds like it's somewhere in the range of the assembly
*It's the standard/stock MT setup. No mods to the knob, boot, shaft, or assembly.

Your shift knob isn't loose is it? Some people have had problems with them coming off from not being installed correctly at the factory.

You have to use a decent amount of force to get them to press on. They aren't the screw on type.

 

[PowerGetter]

With the engine off is there any lash/play in the gear linkage or gearstick?

(Mine is very firm with no play at all.)

No play at all in mine as well.

 

[PowerGetter]

Your shift knob isn't loose is it? Some people have had problems with them coming off from not being installed correctly at the factory.

You have to use a decent amount of force to get them to press on. They aren't the screw on type.

Doesn't feel loose and the knob doesn't seem to be rotating or doesn't feel wobbly. How is the knob installed from the factory?

 

[sup.dc2]

Doesn't feel loose and the knob doesn't seem to be rotating or doesn't feel wobbly. How is the knob installed from the factory?

give it a good smack downwards. the knob is press fitted on so maybe it wasnt smashed down from the assembly line. if that doesnt work remove it by pulling straight up. take a peek and see if something fell in there.

 

[djf]

I only have about 2k miles on mine but I haven’t noticed anything

 

[Lonestar_Nomad]

give it a good smack downwards. the knob is press fitted on so maybe it wasnt smashed down from the assembly line. if that doesnt work remove it by pulling straight up. take a peek and see if something fell in there.

Second this. Mine wasn’t fully seated from the factory. Gave it a little light smack with a dead blow and it seated. Hopefully it’s something goofy like that.

 

[Spart]

give it a good smack downwards. the knob is press fitted on so maybe it wasnt smashed down from the assembly line. if that doesnt work remove it by pulling straight up. take a peek and see if something fell in there.

This. Common BMW shiftknob L.

I still have anxiety from the first time I accidentally ripped the shift knob off in my old Mini back in the day.

If that doesn't do it you might just replace the whole knob/boot assembly, I have the part number somewhere if you need it - PM me.

 

[PowerGetter]

So just to update everyone who's contributed so far... "smacking" the top of the shift knob downwards has helped a little bit. I can occasionally still hear it in third gear but the rattle is significantly less. I'm inclined to REALLY smack the thing down with a lot more force, but I'm a bit nervous to do so. Any potential damage I can do? Anyone have any photos of the actual shifter assembly?

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