Transmission "thud"
 

Hey all,

I have searched and gotten scattered information about the various natural noises drivers experience from their 8's. I'm happy to report I am a new owner of a pre-owned '05 M/T (SOOOO WELL KEPT, got it at 24.5K miles :D:)and am LOVING IT.

I was curious though; I hear a soft 'thud' noise as i shift, MOSTLY into first from neutral, and into 3rd from 2nd. I have no problems at all shifting, I dont get any grinding, and I make sure to do all the basics when starting and warming up, etc. Is this soft thud noise normal? It seems to be from my point of view. I have just over 26K miles on it, so at the 27.5K marker I'm changing oil using Castrol 5w20 (live in Tampa FL), and at 30K miles gonna do major fluids change using Redline (tranny and rear diff) as well as coils/plugs change.

Mine used to do the same. Usually the N-1st gear upshift when the car is stationary.

I'm almost a 100% sure that the previous owner NEVER did a trans fluid change. So out went the old fluid which was kind of thick and discolored from the metal shavings and etc. I put in a 50/50 mix of Redline MTL / MT90 per the forum's recommendation.

It shifts quieter and is smoother. I also recommend Amsoil MTG as well since I tried it on my friend's NB Miata (similar Aisin transmission) and it feels great!

Also, to answer your question, the thud went away with the trans fluid change. Go out and buy 1.8 quarts of your favorite stuff- just make sure to stay away from GL-5 or GL4/GL5 mixes in the tranny i.e. Royal Purple and etc.

Are we sure we're not thinking of the ABS check?

That's the only thing I can think of at least, but you say it happened going into third from second, and I'm not entirely sure it does the check while moving......would be dangerous.

I can attest to this a bit in that it will happen to me as well. I am familiar with the ABS check, and the "thud" being described here (at least in my case) is very much more pronounced. It is directly linked with the moment the shifter gets fully shoved into the gate. I believe I experience this about once a week. Unfortunately, I cannot correlate it to fluid swap at the moment. (I do this yearly after winter... this may have me paranoid enough to do it sooner now)

Nah im pretty sure its not the ABS, ive heard that before as im pulling out of my driveway and pressing the brake for the first time for the day -- that sound is more like a mechanical "click".

The engagement point of the clutch is nice and tight (thats what she said lol), so I'll keep an eye on it but the clutch feels secure. At the 27.5K mile marker i think ill do the major fluids swap instead of waiting for 30K - i drive the car heavily anyhow (not wrecklessly, just often). I do notice the neutral to 1st gear thud when shifting from a dead stop; I'll see what gives once i throw in new fluid into the diff/transmission.

I'll keep you all posted once i perform the fluid change - should happen in approximately 2 weeks. Thanks!

i have the same situation. wondering if you ever had this issue resolved?

thanks