Gearbox Backlash

[gazzy]

Do any Manual Tiguan owners experience issues with gearbox backlash? This noise can be heard when changing gears at particular speeds/rpm or engaging/disengaging the clutch or depressing/lifting the accelerator at speed (as exampled below) –

https://soundcloud.com/tiguan_owner/...vetrain-noises

My issue started occurring at 6,000 kms from new and Volkswagen have claimed this is a normal characteristic of the vehicle; despite the VW mechanics not being able to pinpoint the exact cause (clutch, diff, and gearbox have all been mentioned on 3 different reports). An independent has looked at it and flagged excessive gearbox backlash (or even the Dual Mass Flywheel).

Well today I met with the Service Manager who had a Volkswagen rep from the factory visiting drive the vehicle and claims this is normal backlash, and although 'a comfort issue' isn't considered a mechanical fault therefore will not be covered under warranty. And on the issue that it started happening after a few months claimed it was just everything settling/loosening up.

The problem is I find it difficult to accept after 100+ years of building manual gearboxes, and modern day manufacturing that this level of backlash can be heard on a brand new vehicle.

VAG (VW Australia) won't help and have been pretty rude and dismissive on the phone, claiming that if they were to replace parts it might get worse or cause other issues (of course no mention that it might fix the issue). The dealer advises if VAG claim its normal then we won't fix it. To me it just feels like they are fobbing me off due to the cost of replacing the gearbox.

So what are my options? Do I get another independent / transmission specialists opinion and take the dealer/VW to small claims court? Take a hit and sell the car?

I love the look of the VW, love it's soft plastics, door thud, but have found the mechanical side a little worrying and the aftersales service lacking. I wanted to upgrade in a year or 2 to an Amarok as well, and pass the Tiguan onto the girlfriend, but now I'm not so sure.

Anyways, thanks for reading; I'd really appreciate any comments/feedback/advice .

Thanks
Gazzy

[Umai Naa!!]

Some had issues with the rubber dampener on the back end of the tail shaft. Might be worth looking into.

[buzuki]

Pretty normal, keep in mind the amount of components in a 4motion system, these are all moving parts and have backlash of some sort.

If you load all these components with force in 1 direction then release it you will get a noise.

Ive driven many tiguans/golf r etc they all do it. Its impossible to point at a single component.

Like they said its a comfort issue not a problem. Every DSG I drive I can hear the gears shift/rattle, defect or comfort issue?

[MGV]

I would say not normal... My 100 000k / 5yo manual still sounds & feels tight as. And i gave up being kind to it 4 years ago! (not unkind, mind you... just sort of in between kind & unkind! )

[Lucas_R]

I used to have a manual transmission-ed Mk6 Golf R, and you could hear/feel backlash at times when backing off etc. I now have a manual transmission-ed Mk6 Golf GTI and it does not have any of the backlash that my R did - and the GTI has done 3x times more km's.

[gazzy]

Pretty normal, keep in mind the amount of components in a 4motion system, these are all moving parts and have backlash of some sort.

I've got the front Wheel drive model. How would it be different to any other manual FWD SUV?

In 24 years of driving manual vehicles I've never experienced anything like this level of backlash (or anything noticeable).

[gazzy]

I would say not normal... My 100 000k / 5yo manual still sounds & feels tight as. And i gave up being kind to it 4 years ago! (not unkind, mind you... just sort of in between kind & unkind! )

My partner drove off in it just before and from my porch I could hear the backlash when she was 50 metres down the road. Mind you the car was fine for the first 6,000 kms or so.

[Transporter]

My partner drove off in it just before and from my porch I could hear the backlash when she was 50 metres down the road. Mind you the car was fine for the first 6,000 kms or so.

You have 3 years warranty, if there's an excessive backlash as you desrcibed it, then for sure it only get worst and onto the point that something may let go, then they will have to fix it.
Just keep the record that you've cmplained about the problem (make sure you have it on the paper that you were at the dealer).

Give it more time.

[PerthMTB]

You have 3 years warranty, if there's an excessive backlash as you desrcibed it, then for sure it only get worst and onto the point that something may let go, then they will have to fix it.
Just keep the record that you've cmplained about the problem (make sure you have it on the paper that you were at the dealer).

Give it more time.

I agree with this. I had a Toyota whose transmission developed a whirring noise after about two years/70,000kms. Dealer swore it was "normal diff whine" and wouldn't do anything about it as it was considered cosmetic rather than a mechanical fault.

A year later and three months out of warranty the transmission imploded, and the only reason Toyota were willing to do anything about it was because I could point to my earlier complaint as evidence the fault had developed during the warranty period. I got a brand new transmission courtesy of Toyota.