Technical Grinding putting gear in reverse

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post car damage issues, but here it goes...

I went over a dodgy speed bump recently and there was a huge metallic bang that happened under the chassis. Ever since when I go from neutral into reverse there is a grinding sound until the gear fully goes into the reverse position. To me it sounds like something revolving at high speed and it’s catching something whilst the gear is in transit.

I took it to a garage and they said the skin had gone from my exhaust, so they replaced the skin for £50. The gear grinding is still there and I’ve been told “that’s normal”, “It’s a bit of noise”, “that happens when you change gears slowly”. Well it only started doing this instantly after the speed bump collision, and I’m worried if it doesn’t get fixed I may be in for major problems down the road.

Has anyone ever had any similar issue or have any ideas? Thanks

 

[AnthonyH]

Have you tried holding the clutch in longer before you go into reverse? I usually wait 2 seconds and then the grinding doesn't happen.

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Have you tried holding the clutch in longer before you go into reverse? I usually wait 2 seconds and then the grinding doesn't happen.

Thanks for the reply Anthony, I'll try that out. Still, as said, this hasn't happened until the chassis got banged underneath

 

[AnthonyH]

Thanks for the reply Anthony, I'll try that out. Still, as said, this hasn't happened until the chassis got banged underneath

Its possibly just co-incidence that you've noticed the grind at this time and its not related to hitting the speed bump.

Besides, if you have a standard Punto there should be a cross member protecting the gearbox, so any speed bump crunches will hit that, and not the gearbox or sump.

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Its possibly just co-incidence that you've noticed the grind at this time and its not related to hitting the speed bump.

Besides, if you have a standard Punto there should be a cross member protecting the gearbox, so any speed bump crunches will hit that, and not the gearbox or sump.

It's really noticeable the grinding, it's a shame I can't upload the video on here. Is the cross member the bar near the front? That was all bent afterwards yeah :/

 

[AnthonyH]

It's really noticeable the grinding, it's a shame I can't upload the video on here. Is the cross member the bar near the front? That was all bent afterwards yeah :/

I think you can upload video after 5, perhaps 10 posts, unless something changed that i don't know about.

The damaged cross member is a good sign it did its job.

 

[Dadscabs1]

Thanks for the reply Anthony, I'll try that out. Still, as said, this hasn't happened until the chassis got banged underneath

Hi sorry I'm new to this sight and have just stumbled upon your thread, have you sorted the issue out? If not you said it took a bang underneath, is there any chance the floor pan has dented up a bit leaving less travel on the clutch pedal to engage reverse smoothly?

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Hi sorry I'm new to this sight and have just stumbled upon your thread, have you sorted the issue out? If not you said it took a bang underneath, is there any chance the floor pan has dented up a bit leaving less travel on the clutch pedal to engage reverse smoothly?

Hi there. No, it's still doing it. I'm not sure where that is or how I'd check. I have no idea what the garage did, they didn't even want to listen to the grinding, they went straight to 'fixing it' and failed

 

[Dadscabs1]

Hi it's just the floor under the clutch pedal, I only say this because a lad at a garage I worked years ago jacked up a car incorrectly and bent the floor up slightly which had an effect on the travel of the pedal because the pedal obviously met the floor sooner, no harm in looking and simple fix just whack the floor back down if needs be, good luck

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Hi there. No, it's still doing it. I'm not sure where that is or how I'd check. I have no idea what the garage did, they didn't even want to listen to the grinding, they went straight to 'fixing it' and failed

I've had a look and the floor where the clutch is seems to be fine. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Now the car has completely broken down. It won't go into gear at all whilst the engine is started, when the engine is off it goes into gear no problem, so I had to ride home in first gear hah. Those mechanics are absolute charlatans

 

[GettinBetter]

It won't go into gear at all whilst the engine is started, when the engine is off it goes into gear no problem

Clutch slave cylinder, but check fluid level first, or signs of a leak. The symptoms you mention are classicly related to not engaging the clutch.
It'll be either the slave cylinder (easier and cheaper to replace) or master cylinder (harder and costlier) I doubt you would have damaged the pipe going over the speed bump, but stranger things have happened.

so I had to ride home in first gear

LOL, done that a few times. Not in first gear though, if you rev high and judge it correctly you can quite easily change gears, although changing down again needs good timing. Not to mention stopping at traffic lights. The method I used was to turn the engine off, leaving it in first gear, and when the lights changed, turn it on and attempt to start the engine until it started running, but keep the key turned untill it was running fast enough to release the starter, after which you quickly start slowing well before lights to try and time it so that you arrive just after they've changed in your favour.

 

[Fiat Punto 2012 GBT]

Clutch slave cylinder, but check fluid level first, or signs of a leak. The symptoms you mention are classicly related to not engaging the clutch.
It'll be either the slave cylinder (easier and cheaper to replace) or master cylinder (harder and costlier) I doubt you would have damaged the pipe going over the speed bump, but stranger things have happened.

LOL, done that a few times. Not in first gear though, if you rev high and judge it correctly you can quite easily change gears, although changing down again needs good timing.

Thanks GB. I'll get towed to the garage on Monday and hopefully I'll get a fix this time and a discount for a carry on. I'll quote you, you seem to know what you're talking about hah

 

[GettinBetter]

Thanks GB. I'll get towed to the garage on Monday and hopefully I'll get a fix this time and a discount for a carry on. I'll quote you, you seem to know what you're talking about hah

OMG, famous last words, did I forget to add my standard disclaimer.....