318i Is this normal

[Live_the_Curves]

I have had this problem for quite some time like since 40000kms ago, but it has'nt harmed the car. When every i put my car into Drive or Reverse the car goes down a little, its like my transmission housing is lose or something, is this normal does it happen to other older 318i's, i have 1996 model

[e36_m3_Turbo]

explain it a little more when the car "goes down"

[///M Power]

whle your pressing on your brake?

ummm isnt that the car just tryign to move but ur brakes stoppign it?

[brien4787]

Originally posted by e36_m3_Turbo@Jun 24 2004, 01:40 AM
explain it a little more when the car "goes down"

the car drops in height

[El Presidente]

what you are feeling is the transferring of power from the flywheel to the tranny, making the car bounce a little. Its normal. if the car were actually lowering, then you would be driving underground by now.

[Live_the_Curves]

ya the entire car jerks downwards, i don't think the ride-height is changing.

[BlantonG13]

I never noticed my car "jerking down a little" at all. I have a 96 318i as well (Manual). What I have noticed, is my RPMs actually drop when I reverse, then stop to shift into 1st gear. My car has actually stalled a couple times over the past year and a half from this thing...

[Autotechnica]

Seems normal to me. I haven't seen this in any 5 speed manual cars. However, my friend has a E34 535 auto and when he changes from reverse to drive I can see his car's ride height move slightly up, then slightly down.

Bry

[007ben]

My auto 325i does it too. I'm going to call it normal..

its just the torque and power being transered to the wheels and brakes stoping ya from moving...

[bitcore]

Yes it's normal.
Front wheels are not rotating, when you shift into gear, torque is applied to the rear wheels, which makes them rotate the slightest bit. Since the front wheels arn't moving anywhere, the slight rotation in the back is enough so that it "sucks" the back end of the suspinsion down. I realize this is hard to understand ant it's a difficult concept of physics to describe and explain without an animation or diagram, but this is what's happening. All cars do this to some degree.
Try doing it with your handbrake on REALLY TIGHT. It may not move down at all since brakes are now applied to the rear wheels., it may do the exact same thing as before if the handbrake is weak & needs adjusting. Mine's all wore out from the power slides and drifts that I do. (open differential, so I need some e-brake help to get my back end loose )


Nothing's wrong with the transmission\engine mounts. (from what you describe)

Note: This is more noticeable in automatics

[Live_the_Curves]

thanks for the replies.