Dunno why people get so excited about it really. My Parents 500 TA did it for the 3+ years we had it, but it never seemed to affect anything else so we never even bothered mentioning it to a dealer. Chances are it'd be wrongly diagnosed and something else would be messed-up in the process, so it's best just left alone. People hating a car because it makes this occasional noise is just OTT I reckon - it's not worth worrying about.

My Panda has done it for the past 3 years (pretty much from new) I was originally told it was the rear brake drums binding in reverse but as it only does it under power and stops when the clutch is dipped I'm more inclined to think its the thrust bearing on the clutch grumbling as it occasionally does it in first as well if you're stuck in slow moving traffic and using the clutch more than normal. Why more prevalent in reverse I don't know.

It's more prevalent in reverse because of the way you generally reverse ............ moving very slowly and slipping the clutch.
If you drive backwards, with the clutch fully engaged, there's no groan.

This is the same as in 1st gear too.

Mick.

Mick F said:

It's more prevalent in reverse because of the way you generally reverse ............ moving very slowly and slipping the clutch.
If you drive backwards, with the clutch fully engaged, there's no groan.

This is the same as in 1st gear too.

Mick.

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That would explain it, Cheers Mick

Most cars make a noise in reverse I've found.

Mick F said:

If you drive backwards, with the clutch fully engaged, there's no groan.

This is the same as in 1st gear too.

Click to expand...

I definitely agree with the first sentence, but even after 6 years of TwinAir driving I'm stil not able to make it groan in first gear, but maybe I miss the skills...

However, after 35000 miles my previous 500 started to groan during downshifts from third to second gear.

If I go very slowly and very gently, slipping the clutch like I do when reversing, it groans.

Our driveway is long and steep, and I like to point the car upwards even if I've reversed into it, so I turn round near the house at the top.

I find that the groan is there in reverse as well as in 1st.

Mick.

I Had a ford focus that had this problem from about 8000 miles ,it happen first thing , it Was intermittent. still happening occasionally when I so;d it with 98,000 miles on the clock .It sounded like Chewbacca in star wars ! don't worry about it.
Regards Trevor.

AGH1965 said:

I definitely agree with the first sentence, but even after 6 years of TwinAir driving I'm stil not able to make it groan in first gear, but maybe I miss the skills...

However, after 35000 miles my previous 500 started to groan during downshifts from third to second gear.

Click to expand...

I think I've only once or twice heard a slight groan in 1st gear, and occasionally when going 3rd -> 2nd. It indeed seems to very clearly be related to speed difference between engine & drivetrain, and how much the clutch is slipping. Based on what I've read (see pastebin entry /chGVJpru, can't post links yet), I wouldn't be worried.

I'm happy this thread exists, I'm now going to ignore the fact that mine does it in 1st/reverse sometimes when cold, definitely the clutch making a noise. If I let the clutch out it stops, push the clutch in it stops, hover about half way especially for a slightly extended period and it happens.