Mercedes Benz A-Class W169 (2005 - ) - thud noise when changing gears on car

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Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:13
thud noise when changing gears on car - peterk1
I've recently bought an 2nd hand A class,which I've noticed makes a thud noise when changing gears.

I am worried it may indicate a problem with the gears and they will need replacing

Has anyone else had this problem?

Mercedes claim this is a feature of the car and there is nothing to fix, which is not true as it doesn't happen to other A classes we have driven.

What is my legal position. I have had the car less than a month

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Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:27
thud noise when changing gears on car - Screwloose

Where did you buy it - private, "private trader," or trade?
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:31
thud noise when changing gears on car - peterk1
bought it from trade
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:35
thud noise when changing gears on car - Screwloose

If it was the supplier that says that there is no fault; take it to a different dealer and get a second opinion.
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:55
thud noise when changing gears on car - peterk1
It was bought from mercedes direct (used cars sales) who have looked at it. They acknowledged the problem and then sent us to Mercedes dealer to get it fixed.

The dealership have told us the cause for this is "Rotational movement in the transmission is not completely braked by the synchroniser until a gear is engaged. This can result in a thudding noise"

Not sure what to do - dealership are telling us that there is a noise but Mercedes UK are telling them they should not fix it because this behaviour is a feature!
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 15:04
thud noise when changing gears on car - 659FBE
This sounds like eloquent MB speak for knackered synchromesh - assuming reverse engages silently and that the clutch does not drag.

They won't want to touch it on a secondhand sale - particularly on this model where the access is (shall we say) challenging.

I would check the transmission oil level and type (very important) before anything else - then get rid of it (fixed or not).

659.

Edited by 659FBE on 20/11/2007 at 15:05

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Tue 20 Nov 2007 15:05
thud noise when changing gears on car - Screwloose
That just a bit of meaningless bullshine spouted by an unqualified idiot who's following the old "If you can't blind them with brilliance; baffle 'em with pink fluffy clouds...." saying.

You don't say what engine/box this is, but most dealers just don't want to know about any A-Class as they are such pigs to work on - get that second opinion from another dealer.

Edited by Webmaster on 20/11/2007 at 18:39

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Tue 20 Nov 2007 15:07
thud noise when changing gears on car - 659FBE
Sounds like we both just love these vehicles, Screwloose!

659.
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 15:17
thud noise when changing gears on car - normd2
no mention of this 'feature' on the MB forums - make of that what you will. My Auntie has the 'old' A-class and can't say I've ever heard this noise.
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 15:22
thud noise when changing gears on car - Screwloose
659

My feeling is that the idiot that designed them should be forced to work on them - for life! If he can't do two starters and a waterpump in one day - no food.

Who thought that a vehicle that needs the engine, gearbox and subframe out to do almost anything, was a good idea? They'll die young.
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 17:37
thud noise when changing gears on car - peterk1
It's an A150 - just needed a small practical car...but its turning into a disaster!
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 18:30
thud noise when changing gears on car - Aprilia
The statement about the 'synchroniser' (synchromesh) does not really make sense. Its the 'thud' actually a crunch as the lever is moved to select a gear, or is it a dull thud from the drivetrain?
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 20:04
thud noise when changing gears on car - truckle
Brings to mind the same sounding problem I had after I bought my 2 year old E320 fom MB Peterborough. They wouldn't acknowledge the banging from the gear box. I got a second opinion at MB Sheffield who immediately found loose bits in the gearbox. Replaced the gearbox foc courtesy of MB.

Mike
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 20:33
thud noise when changing gears on car - cheddar
An A150 is the newer and easier to work on though not as good looking (IMO) one surely?
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 20:51
thud noise when changing gears on car - Screwloose

I'll let you know if it's easier once I've seen someone do a starter on one...

[Which, incidentally, contains an immobilizer.]
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Tue 20 Nov 2007 22:14
thud noise when changing gears on car - peterk1
the noise is coming from under the car, the drivetrain.

I should also add that it is intermittent and on first gear only

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Wed 21 Nov 2007 00:05
thud noise when changing gears on car - Aprilia
the noise is coming from under the car the drivetrain.
I should also add that it is intermittent and on first gear only

>>

Ah, the plot thickens! Hard to say what it is without either hearing it or asking lots of questions. Maybe take it to another dealer, or even a transmission repair 'shop, for a second opinion.
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Wed 28 Nov 2007 16:07
thud noise when changing gears on car - billh
I have had a couple of A classes over the past 5 years or so, with both of them being A170 diesels. I have experienced the same 'thud' on a couple of occasions when taking up the drive from startup. This has only happened when I have taken up the drive quicker than normal. Its not a gearbox noise, and I am sure it's the radially mounted springs in the clutch friction plate which cushion the initial grab of the clutch being compressed suddenly. In normal use, the take up is gradual and these springs do not get compressed as quick, and therefore no thud. Is it safe to assume that the thud you experience is when you set off with 'gusto', because if so, I expect the above is what is happening.
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Sun 3 Nov 2013 14:42
thud noise when changing gears on car - billy-whizz

I have just bought a 2006 A150 W169 Classic petrol with manual gearbox. I have a crunching noise when I select third gear. There is no problem going into gear, but just the light rasping/crunch noise going into third. Other than that the car drives quite well, (although acceleration response is quite slow). Gear stick does feel a bit sloppy.

I tried the little plastic linkage. Mine was fine, but I fitted a new one anyway. I thought the gear selector cables might be out of adjustment, but can find no info on tolerances, or how to adjust them. When I ring garages for help they just reel out the usual "A-Class has problem gearboxes" story. Was quoted £2500 + VAT for a gearbox recondition, but I would like to exhaust all simpler and cheaper options before I give up on the car.

Last time I had a car THIS fragile it was an Alfa Romeo. I expected better of this Mercedes, which is a great littel workhorse and town car. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Sun 3 Nov 2013 18:39
thud noise when changing gears on car - madf

Third gear syncromesh is worn.

If Trade, Sale of Goods Act.

If private, tough.

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Sat 16 Nov 2013 19:51
thud noise when changing gears on car - billy-whizz

It was syncromesh on third, with some additional damage internally done by the broken bits. Got a great service done by a local gearbox specialist DJ Transmissions in Shrewsbury. Cost me £860 all-in and the car runs great now.

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