My mini sometimes makes a grinding noise when shifting into reverse......just bought it a week ago- used '05 w/ 9,300 miles. What could this be???

 

Is it a stick if so Make sure you come to a complete stop. There is no sycronizer, for reverse so you must come to a complete stop, you may have trouble getting it in gear then, but just let out the clutch a little, or go into first then reverse

 

I remember reading the 6 speed getrag has a syncro for reverse. I'm not sure for the 5 speed getrag used in the 05-06 MC. Either way, if the car is at a complete stop, there should be no grinding. Suzy, are you pushing the clutch all the way to the floor before moving the shifter? If so, the car is still under warrenty, so I would take it to the dealer.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

In any case, sychronizer or not, manual or auto, you should ALWAYS come to a complete stop before shifting from forward to reverse or the other way around. Simple physics. Overcoming momentum requires great force. Great force = great wear = early failure.

 

With the 5 speed you need to go second to reverse and there will be no grinding. Plain and simple.

 

Well that certainly makes sense! Geez.

 

Techtipz is right, I have the same problem. I talked to the dealer and they said 1st, but that hasn't worked. When I talked to a know-it-all car buddy, he said 2nd. Since then, it's been working.

 

I'm not doubting what he said. It's just idiotic that that is a "solution" though.

 

2nd to reverse?? hmmm......whatever works! I will definitely try this. Thanks

 

I'd had the same issue (plus the occasional incident of not going into reverse at all) & tried the moving the shift lever into a forward gear & then into reverse with mixed results. Decided to take a look in the Owner's Manual & on Page 55 it states: "...pause briefly before moving the gearshift lever into position." For the last 1000 miles I now push the lever to the right, pause for a second or 2 & then down into reverse. So far, works like a charm.
Jeff
"Dorothy" '06 MC BRG/W
#151 in the GWRR