Hi everyone!

I park my car backwards so I can always put into drive when driving away because there's a thump when shifting into reverse.

This usually is only on a cold start and after driving for a bit, there's no problem at all when going into reverse.

Its not a huge thump but definitely not as smooth as shifting into drive.

Is this something I should head to the garage with straight away?

Is there anything I can do myself? (not a mechanic at all)

Thanks!

Hi, see my old thread here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96174), and i've recently had the drivers side and passenger side (transmission side) mounts replaced and that appears to have fixed it.

I think the answer is that shocks do transmit along the drivetrain and that is normal in our AWD's, but the engine mounts seem to be very important in helping to minimise the shocks.

In that thread i talk about having already replaced the mounts, but it turned out the dealer involved had actually replaced the roll stoppers, not the mounts, which made no difference.

Also, the mounts looked fine from above when in the car, rubber looked to be in good condition, no deterioration, but once removed fine cracks were evident underneath where the mounts had collapsed.

So if you think your symptoms are the same as mine were then i would recommend starting with those mounts.

(I should add i assume the ATF is in good condition and the correct Mits fluid, otherwise get that done first...)

The ATF is all good. All fluids were replaced by mal about a month ago. I don't mind the thump so much as long as its not breaking up anything under there. I thought maybe its ruining the tranny or the engine.

The ATF is all good. All fluids were replaced by mal about a month ago. I don't mind the thump so much as long as its not breaking up anything under there. I thought maybe its ruining the tranny or the engine.
Could also be a bit of normal slack in the diff creating some resonance, or shock, when it takes up the load. You said that you're noticing it more on a cold start going into reverse which is when the RPM is higher. As i said my worn engine mounts seemed to make it worse. Why not take it back to Mal? He can let you know straight away.

Have you tried fully depressing the brake pedal before shifting to R as well as shifting to N first, wait a second and then shifting to R and see if it thumps. Mine occasionally thumps into R on cold start with the revs higher than usual and I shift into R without fully depressing the brake pedal.

Yep Vlad.

it will happen if the rpm is high as well, as KWAWD mentioned.

A guy I work with has an issue with this on his TE, sees to just be a common auto issue

Hmm, just wanted to inform the forum that this behaviour is back. Seems to be that the colder weather is causing the initial RPM to run higher than usual. So the new engine mounts have not fully resolved this, unless one of them has broken. I'll have to check, but seems unlikely.

Just wait a tad for the initial rev to come down and shift to R while having the foot brake fully depressed. Also, can try shifting to N or D first. I got it occassionally on cold Mornings with the KW when I did not fully depress the brake.

Will try pushing harder on the brake pedal thanks Vlad.
I wonder if a tap on the accelerator will cause the system to drop the RPM. Will try