[jase-dk]

Hi,

Sometimes when I have parked my car (420d Steptronic) on an incline (nose up), I hear a noticeable “clonk” sound from the rear of the car when I go from Park to Reverse. The procedure is that I step on the break, release the handbrake, and then shift from Park to Reverse – then “clock” comes as the reverse engages.

It sounds like the “clonk” comes from the rear of the car – my first thought was some play in the rear diff?

I all other circumstances the car drives perfectly and there are no strange noises. Also, there is no noise when I go from Park to Reverse on a flat surface. Maybe it has something to do with the hardbrake having been engaged?

Has anyone else noticed this? – is it normal, or am I doing something wrong?
The car is brand new. Only 1.000 km.

JASE-DK

[fourdirtyfive]

I've heard some weird, similar noises when I switch from drive, to park, and then to reverse on my '15 435i. Would also love to know what's going on...Might take the car into the dealer to get it checked out, as it is a CPO.

[bimmer456]

Because you are on an incline, the weight of the car is leaning against the parking mechanism that effectively locks the transmission to prevent rolling. Try applying the hand brake first and then shifting into park when parking on an incline. This will help to keep some of the weight off the parking mechanism when the transmission disengages park. This can happen with any auto tranny, but may be more pronounced on the steptronic as the shifting out of park is not done directly by the drive but is electronic. (Similar to the e parking brake on the 5 series)

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by jase-dk

Maybe it has something to do with the hardbrake having been engaged?

Probably. It's easy enough to find out, park there without setting the hand brake, just leaving it in park for a moment or two, then drive away. If there's no clunk it's the hand brake. Hand brakes are drum brakes, contained within the rear hubs. The shoes will shift from their normal position when the car is parked on a steep incline, the clunk is them shifting back to their normal position.

[F36420I]

I have the same clunk to avoid it when you park put in neutral then in park

[bimmer456]

I would step on the brake firmly when engaging park, then pull on the hand brake as high as possible then release foot brake.

[jase-dk]

Any damage or wear and tear from this?

Not that it has happend more than a couple of times. Will try to avoid the incline/handbake combo in the future ;-)

Best regards

JASE-DK

[Monkeyboxers]

I've started to notice this on mine as well. Going from drive to reverse, there's a clunk on the rear left. Flat surface, reversing into garage.