Hi All,

I have recently bought a used Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 120 HK (07/2010 model, 51.000 Km), and I have now noticed a weird clunky sound when changing gears from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and up till 4th.

- The sound is not constant between each gear change – it can depend on speed and acceleration
- The sound is very rear when I accelerating to about 3000 rpm before changing the gears
- It seem like the sound comes in the front left part, and underneath the gear shift
- Sometimes you can actually feel the “clunk” in the gear shift

The “clunk” can sometimes be avoided by:
1. Accelerate to approximately 3000 rpm
2. Remove foot from gas pedal
3. Press down the clutch
4. Change the gear

I have visited the local Fiat dealer, and asked them if they are familiar with this kind of noise in relation to the Fiat Bravo Gearbox or Clutch. At first the mechanic said no, but later on when test driving the car he also noticed the sound. His answer was that this “is normal in many of the Fiat models”. I was a little bit confused at that moment!

Does anyone of you recognize this kind of problem with the Fiat Bravo Gearbox and/or Clutch, and would you know where the problem can be located?

I am looking forward hearing from you. Thank you in advance.

Can anyone help me with some advise on this issue, please ?

Engine mounts?

The mechanic did try to check the Engine mounts by parking the car, putting it in 1st gear, open the hood and pushing the car in the front to see if he could provoke the Clunky noise in that way. We couldn't hear anything...

I hear the Clunky sound loudest when changing to 3rd gear. I have a feeling that the sound either comes from the clutch or gearbox.

By 'clunk' do you mean a sort of very quick crunching noise like if you grind your gears?

No, it doesn't sound crunchy like if you grind your gears - it's only "Cluck" and it appears when pressing down the Clutch pedal in between the gear shifts. I think there is a low sound of it when I release the Clutch pedal as well, especially in 1st gear...

Botto said:

The mechanic did try to check the Engine mounts by parking the car, putting it in 1st gear, open the hood and pushing the car in the front to see if he could provoke the Clunky noise in that way. We couldn't hear anything...
.

Click to expand...

I doubt you could diagnose an engine mount fault that way. The power of your engine inducing the sympton is far greater than the mechanic pushing the front of the car! So............. ENGINE MOUNTS?

Could the release bearing make a clunk if it was sticking slightly?

Yesterday I visited another mechanic, and he tested the engine mounts by pulling the handbrake, putting the car in 1st gear and then tried to take off. There were no Clunky sound from engine mounts, clutch or gearbox.

He also tested the "flywheel" as a part of the Clutch and according to him it was also functioning fine as the car had a smooth take off in all gears.

He didn't mention anything about the release bearing - The car is from 2010 and is has gone 52000 Km now, so can this bearing already be rundown?

His assumption was that the noise could be coming from the gearbox due to tolerance between the cogwheels - When connecting or disconnecting the Clutch this tolerance might be provoking the sound. His suggestion was to replace the oil in the gearbox (maybe to a thicker oil) before changing any parts on the car.

Do you have any other idea what it can be or where the sound might be coming from?

I know you've checked but it really does sound like a gearbox mount, keep the car in a gear (1st or 2nd), whilst driving, an go full throttle an off quickly and repeatedly, i u can hear a bang/clunk with each throttle position, it normally indicates worn gearbox mount/mounts.

Hello All,

I have finally some news to share with you re. this issue. Last week I went to a different Fiat dealer than last and presented them the problem with the clunky sound.

They had an idea that the gearbox or flywheel could be causing the sound, but to be sure they suggested to have a representative from Fiat Denmark to come and see for him self. So I went back to the dealer this week and both the Fiat representative and mechanic were ready to take the car for a spin.

After testing the car they were both convinced that the “transaxle” in the gearbox was causing the knocking sound. Even though every car has its own noises here and there, they decided that this knocking sound was loud enough to have the gearbox replaced with a new one (...or renewed gearbox from the Fiat factory). I was also told that if the mechanic would see any damages on the flywheel, clutch or any other parts , then they would replaced during this process as well – all covered by the warranty!

So right now I'm waiting on a new gearbox and hopefully this will solve the problem. I will keep you updated...



P.S. The car has been driving 53.000 km now – would you advise me to have the clutch replaced now even though it's not worn out?

I would have said from that description thats it's the bearing's... poor pre load on bearing's.

Had a few bravo's with same/similar faults, and we have had to strip and rebuild, warranty wont allow for replacement due to the cost of box...

Hope your one gets sorted.

Hello All,

Here comes an update to my issue regarding the clunky gearbox.

After having the Fiat representative to look/listen to the clunky sound during gear change, it was decided to install a renewed gearbox form the Fiat factory.

After waiting few months the dealer finally received a brand new gearbox from the factory. It was installed along with a new clutch-kit. To my surprise the new gearbox did also have a clunky sound during gear change, but with a slightly different characteristic. Besides from that we also discovered an extra “rattling” sound, but ONLY with the gears in neutral position.

The Fiat representative and mechanics opinion was that the extra rattling sound was coming from the gearbox due tolerance in-between the gears. What do you think?

They decided to disassemble my old and new gearbox to determine which one of them was in best condition / lowest tolerance. To my surprise it turned out to be my old gearbox, and they also did a few adjustments to the sim-rings according to some factory specifications.

The old gearbox was then installed along with a new flywheel (dual-mass) and clutch (all within warranty). The clunky sound is still there, but the clutch is much better today and seems to attenuate/mitigate a little bit on the “clunky” sound - probably due to the new dual-mass flywheel.

I am actually back at the beginning with the whole operation, but the clutch has been improved and the clunky sound is a little bit less than before. I think this sound during gear change on both the old and new gearbox must be down to the construction and characteristic of the car.

If you search on the same topic, then you’ll discover that some Alfa and Fiat models are having some similar issues.

Nevertheless I’m very satisfied with my car and that we finally came closer to a conclusion on this issue. I must also say that both the Fiat representative and the mechanic/dealer have been very helpful and cooperative during the whole operation.

One final question – my fuel consumption seem to have gone up a little bit after the re-installation of the old gearbox. Can adjustments to the sim-rings cause more “thight” movement of the gears and lead to extra fuel consumption???

mate

It is a Fiat not a Mercedes

Fiats make noises, there is a higher level of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) than other cars you may have driven/passengered in

I gave a colleague a lift the other day and she remaked that the car sounded broken, she was referring to the drivetrain noise at low speed. He is used to BMW and Aston Martin.

Stop worrying about it, turn up the stereo or fit a noisy air filter and enjoy

The gearbox clunk is a natural phenomenon. Live with it and enjoy your Fiat.

i had a very similar problem with mine and it actually was nothing to do with the gearbox the bar that holds the undertray was bent so when i accelerated the engine movement would push down on the bar as the mount is right next to it and make a horrible noise

took the undertray off and the bar off and its been perfect since maybe have a look at that ?

mine currently sounds like a tank due to a pesky flexi joint....fixed it by turning the radio up to 11

well like i said see if its anything like my problem was

Thanks for all your answers.

What about the fuel consumption with the current gearbox. It had some sim-ring adjustments prior re-installation. Can a tighter gearbox lead to higher fuel consumption in general?

ye as it has more mechanical resistance