One person has had their clutches replaced, with 300 miles on the new clutches so far and no grinding sound, found here: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286870&page=12 post #554 (I have mine set on 50 posts per page so that may not show you the right page but it is post 554)

And one getting clutches replaced now is here: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297294&page=2 Post #54

 

This blurb is in the "Operating Characteristics" pamphlet that's been circulated on the forum.

Low speed grinding. A slight grinding noise may be heard at about 2 MPH. This noise is more evident during “trailer-hitching” events (see below). This noise is caused by a normal bearing rotation and does not affect the durability of the transmission.

 

I have seen this, but I am talking about way more than 2 mpg and no trailer hitching. I can put it in 2nd gear and slow down, when I accelerate it will grind for 3-7 seconds! This sounds like the noise, but the speed and conditions are not the same. I am one of many with this issue.

 

I think the techno-speak is that 'normal' means that they have determined that it doesn't effect the longevity of the transmission and falls into whatever operational tolerances that they can defend in court if need be... I doubt the grinding is 'optimal' for the transmission

 

How I got rid of my "grinding"



This may be a different symptom as I would describe my situation as more of a vibrating shudder in the odd to even gear shifts. Especially at speeds from 5mph to 30mph when the engine seems to be bogging down a bit. This started on my car at about 12,000 miles.

I've had plenty of manual transmission cars and know that clutches can get a surface condition that makes the slip characteristics worsen. In other words if the clutch is understressed or overstressed, the clutch friction gets greater and what should be very brief slippage on engagement become very abrupt and heavy vibration occurs. This happens on my '57 Chevy pickup when the clutch is cold and I have to be more careful the first few miles. Or if I've driven on the highway a while and the clutch cooled down.

What I did on my Focus that seems to have eliminated or lessened the shuddering...
Using sport mode, I made the shift from an odd gear to an even gear (1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th, 5th to 6th) be under heavy load. I floored the accelerator while in an odd number gear and then shifted gears to the even number gear at as high of RPM as I could get it to do. I did this about 9 times (three times in all three odd to even gear change) and the problem has gone away. So Far, but I only have about 1000 miles since doing it.

[dunno]

 

This may be a different symptom as I would describe my situation as more of a vibrating shudder in the odd to even gear shifts. Especially at speeds from 5mph to 30mph when the engine seems to be bogging down a bit. This started on my car at about 12,000 miles.

I've had plenty of manual transmission cars and know that clutches can get a surface condition that makes the slip characteristics worsen. In other words if the clutch is understressed or overstressed, the clutch friction gets greater and what should be very brief slippage on engagement become very abrupt and heavy vibration occurs. This happens on my '57 Chevy pickup when the clutch is cold and I have to be more careful the first few miles. Or if I've driven on the highway a while and the clutch cooled down.

What I did on my Focus that seems to have eliminated or lessened the shuddering...
Using sport mode, I made the shift from an odd gear to an even gear (1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th, 5th to 6th) be under heavy load. I floored the accelerator while in an odd number gear and then shifted gears to the even number gear at as high of RPM as I could get it to do. I did this about 9 times (three times in all three odd to even gear change) and the problem has gone away. So Far, but I only have about 1000 miles since doing it.

[dunno]

I have tried some 'hard" shifting but to no avail. I was just curious as to what is making the noise. I mean if they say it is normal they must know what is causing it right??? So perhaps an explanation of the what and why would help people understand their point of view. Just hiding behind "normal operation" is not an explanation. I guess I expect more than I will ever get. [confused]

 

The noise is simply the transition from one clutch to the other. In the case of most people, it's the transition from clutch #1 to clutch #2 (so 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6). There's no way of "fixing" it, aside from replacing the clutches. Most likely it's a problem with either the first clutch disengaging or the second clutch engaging. It would most likely do the same thing downshifting into an even gear from an odd one under load, although slightly less pronounced).

The actual reason is most likely close to what they said: It's probably a bearing in one of the clutch systems that just makes noise. No real thing to worry about, but it would affect the overall life of the clutch (we're talking like 95,000 miles instead of 100,000).

 

Perhaps this is correct. However what it affects is the resale value. Would you buy a car if you drove it and it made that noise? What if I told you don't worry Ford said it is normal? Would that change your mind and you give me full price? I am not being mean, just asking a question. I agree that it is likely in the clutch assembly, but I am really curious to the real reason. I just want Ford to go on record and say "hey that noise is normal, it is the xyz and when it does something it can make a noise". I do not think asking for a real explanation is too much to ask for.

 

I'll just leave this right here:

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4355869&postcount=81

(My car this past Saturday)

As far as I can tell, it doesn't help with the jerkiness of the transmission and frankly it's just embarrassing. Luckily I listen to music 24/7, but for someone that does not - you'll definitely hear this.

 

Yeah that is the noise. Maybe it is not a problem with the longevity of the transmission, but it will certainly effect resale value.

 

Do you getting any vibration, or shuddering, or jerking from the transmission? I was told the noise was normal, until the transmission expert at the dealership drove my car. Clutches replaced at 23,000 miles. Take it in, talk to the mechanics, not the advisor....be an obnoxious customer if needed.

 

It has on-days and off-days. I'll be sure to take it in after work so that the clutches are nice and warm.

EDIT: Set up an appointment for next Monday. I'll let you know how it goes. []

 

i see a mention of life of 100,000 miles. Im new to the DTC and is this trans treated like a manual and the clutches need to be changed at certain intervals?

 

The short noise you hear at low speed/quite times is the box grabbing the next gear.

 

I'd be fine and dandy with that response if it weren't a new noise and also one that isn't on every vehicle. Since it is specific to a handful of us, I don't know about that... did you listen to that video when my car hits 10mph? [scratch]

EDIT: Also Ford has already made changes to the clutch. We don't do PCNs at my work unless we're correcting something or reducing costs...

 

Have you ever driven a manual transmission?

They aren't always quiet when shifting.

 

Yes many times. However, I do not grind the gears every shift! I do not understand what you are saying. Are you saying that it should make this noise each shift? How many manuals have you driven that once it is in a gear it makes a noise just accelerating?

 

Maybe this will help...
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4360580#post4360580

 

I have the grinding noise too. Whether or not it makes the car live as long we will only know when that bridge is crossed. What needs to happen for us to remain satisfied is to have ford fix the damn thing.

Its not a 'normal' noise. It's not a manual transmission noise unless you don't know how to drive a manual. It only does it between certain gears, so it clearly works during some shifts.

I love the car. But it needs to get fixed. I'm waiting to put more miles on mine - the dealer already documented the noise and know it does it - before I go and try to get them to fix it.

 

Hey folks!

By now you should all be familiar with how I can help in these situations. [] If you're currently experiencing the grinding talked about in this thread, send me a PM with your details (VIN, mileage, preferred servicing dealer, daytime phone number) so I can get you escalated to your region's Customer Service Manager. Your CSM will reach out to your dealer to collaborate on a solution.

Thanks,
-Crystal

 

Check the thread dates - you're pulling up guesses form 2012 to comment on.

 

So is there a better theory about DCT noise at the moment? I was not able to find it anywhere on the forum.

 

Theories vary with the circumstances when the noise occurs, most common being a result of the clutch engagement "shudder" that seems to occur easily with these.

Many pieces in that assembly which could vibrate, and even with a std. single clutch manual clutch shudder is often described as a grinding noise.

The other circumstance when gear grinding COULD occur is when the trans. needs to shift unexpectedly, such as on & off throttle application. It normally pre-selects the next gear to be engaged, and could have difficulty at times when that choice keeps changing.

 

long story short, most of the symptoms that Ford said were "normal" will go away after a good fix, like revision F.
if they were "normal" how can they go away.
If the dealer gives you the run around, seek out Meagan or the other Ford reps at this board and get your case escalated.
Remember, all your neighbors buy new cars every day, get up in the morning, turn the key and drive away. They don't have to do wide open throttle starts, snorkel deletes, motor mounts and all the other "fixes" people will tell you here.
This is what you should get too.

 

I heard on a website that maybe "scrubbing" the transmission might help.....haven't tried it yet but maybe this weekend I find a deserted road and give it a try. I have noticed today tho' that it makes a hard shift when I jump on it hard.