Valerie,

I am presently having the same problem on an '88 245 with auto trans. The closest I could come to an explanation in all of the searching for an answer that I did was that there are linkages alongside the transmission connected to that inner rod that you hear and feel clunking beneath your hand inside the chrome shift lever. The linkages have little grommet like bushings that can wear out and throw off the distance the shifter travels from drive to 2nd etc. I do not know if that can cause the symptoms we are experiencing but the next time the car is in for an oil change I will investigate while it is on the lift. The linkage info came from the Bentley manual, and the bushings are available at www.pelicanpartsexpress.com for about a buck each. If you come up with an answer before I do please let me know. Incidentally I never suspected the transmission itself since the car otherwise runs well.

Len K

lenk@panix.com

Val,

Have you had the fluid changed recently?? if not, change it, it may buy you some time because after further research, it sounds like you have internal transmission problems.

Good luck
chuck

Hi,

I once had a similar problem, that sounded like something was really grinding inside the tranny, however it turned out to be the exhaust vibrating against something.

This problem was caused by the opposite torque of reverse making the exhaust move the other way to normal, thus it would 'grind' in reverse but no other gear.

However, your gear selector moving would indicate another problem - but it might be worth checking your pipes, as it's easy just to bend them away from whatever they might be hitting.

good luck,

Julian

It's probably just doing it because you're in the market for a new car.

Try changing your mind and deciding to keep it and see if the problem goes away.

I swear they do that sometimes!

I have heard of people not getting the Reverse gear in all the way when shifting with the stick, over time it wears down the reverse gear and starts to render it useless or crappy. This potentially could be your problem.

However, I would check out your driveshaft componets first, u-joints, flex disc, center bearing...at low speeds and high torque these can cause unwanted shaking or clunking if they are going bad, especially u-joints. See if these may be a culprit. Also, just for fun you could go to the dealer and see what they say! don't really take it there though, they'd probably replace your back seat too. Ha!

Good luck
chuck
'88 244 168K
'87 BMW 325e 167K