why Your Car Jerks Going in Reverse + Fix It

Have you ever started backing up your car, only to feel it jitter and jerk around when you switch the gear into reverse? That clunky, abrupt sensation can be alarming and make you think something is seriously wrong with your vehicle.

But while a jerky reverse gear can be annoying, oftentimes it doesn’t signal major transmission problems. Several common and fairly simple issues can cause your car to jerk when shifting into reverse.

With some troubleshooting and basic maintenance, you can smooth out that pesky jerky reverse and continue driving without transmission problems. This comprehensive guide will cover:

• What causes the reverse gear in your car to jerk and clunk?
• How to diagnose exactly what’s provoking the jerky reverse
• Steps to stop the jerking and finally fix your transmission’s reverse.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly why your transmission acts up only when you shift into reverse, as well as how to fix it.

What Causes a Car to Jerk in Reverse?

Before we dive into solutions, it helps to understand what makes your reverse gear so temperamental in the first place.

The main culprits behind that startling lurching sensation when you shift into reverse are:

Worn Out Transmission Mounts

Transmission mounts connect your gearbox to the vehicle’s frame and are designed to dampen vibrations. If the rubber on your mounts tears or cracks, it allows too much movement between the transmission and chassis.

When you shift gears, the uncontrolled motion vibrates the entire drivetrain and causes that jerky feeling. Bad mounts are especially noticeable when going from Park to Reverse.

Replacing worn, dried out mounts restores smooth shifting and absorbs vibrations.

Low Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmissions rely on pressurized fluid to change gears smoothly. If your fluid level drops too low, pressure drops in the valve body and torque converter.

This can prevent gears from engaging properly and lead to that harsh shift into reverse. Topping up your transmission fluid restores pressure and smooth shifting.

Faulty Transmission Control Module

Your transmission control module is the brain controlling electronic shifting. If its sensors malfunction or software gets corrupted, it can cause erratic shifting.

A faulty TCM often acts up only in specific gears – like reverse. Reprogramming modules to update software often fixes glitches.

Worn Out Reverse Gear

The splines on your reverse gear synchronize it with the main shaft. After years of use, splines eventually wear out. Excessive play between the worn gears leads to hard shifting.

Replacing the reverse gear or rebuilding transmissions with excessive wear resolves this issue.

Now that you know why transmissions jerk in reverse, it’s time to confirm the exact cause in your vehicle.

Diagnosing the Cause of a Jerky Reverse Gear

Figuring out what’s provoking your transmission’s clunky reverse will help you fix it properly. Here are tips for sleuthing out the culprit:

Test It Out in Different Conditions

Pay attention to when the jerky reverse appears:

• Cold vs hot – Slipping only when cold points to low fluid. Jerking when the transmission is warm indicates mechanical problems like bad mounts.
• Various speeds – If it only jerks when you quickly reverse, worn mounts may be the issue. Jerking even during slow reversing highlights internal problems.
• Uphill and downhill – Uphill reversing puts more load on the transmission, making slips more apparent if low on fluid. Downhill puts less load, so jerks then point to worn parts.

Check Your Transmission Fluid

Low transmission fluid levels or leaks can lead to jerky reverse gears, especially if slipping only happens when cold.

Check the dipstick first thing in the morning before driving to get an accurate reading. Top up if needed and continue to monitor for leaks.

Inspect Transmission Mounts

Give your mounts a visual inspection first. Their condition is often apparent at a glance:

• Look for cracked, torn, flattened or collapsed rubber.
• Move mounts by hand to check if they are loose. They should have minimal play.
• Start the car in park and feel for excessive vibration, especially at idle.

If worn, replace all transmission mounts as a set for optimal support.

Scan for Transmission Error Codes

A scan tool lets you read trouble codes from the transmission control module that indicate issues. Specific codes pointing to glitches only in the reverse gear can help flag if reprogramming or software updates are needed.

Connecting your vehicle to an OBD2 scanner to pull codes is a quick way to get diagnostic insights into transmission issues provoking your jerky reverse gear.

Now that you’ve diagnosed the likely cause, we can move onto resolving that annoying jerky reverse for good.

How to Fix a Jerky Reverse Gear?

The repair steps will vary depending on what exactly in your transmission is causing the dreaded jerk in reverse. Here are tips to fix the common culprits:

Replace Worn Out Mounts and Gears

If you confirmed worn out transmission mounts, busted reverse gear splines, or damaged drive shafts are responsible through testing and inspection, replacement is required. Install a fresh mount kit and reverse gear or driveshaft to smooth out your shifting issues.

Top Up Low Transmission Fluid

Low fluid levels can make your reverse gear slip and jerk. Check for leaks and top up your transmission using the manufacturer’s specified fluid to the proper level if needed. This restores hydraulic pressure for clean gear changes.

Update Faulty Transmission Control Modules

If error code scans pointed to glitches in your transmission control module, you likely just need to update its programming. Most repair shops can connect to your TCM and install fresh software to resolve any hiccups in shifting.

Adjust Linkage Cables

Loose or misaligned linkage cables that connect your gear shifter to the transmission can also produce jerky shifting. Adjusting cables to their proper taughtness and realigning connections can smooth out the motions.

Replacing worn parts, updating software, inspecting fluid, or adjusting connections lets you fix that startling jerk when you switch into reverse gear for smoother driving.

Conclusion

While a jerky transmission when shifting into reverse can certainly be annoying and concerning, it’s often caused by straightforward issues like worn mounts, low fluid, or faulty sensors rather than catastrophic transmission failure.

With some basic maintenance and mechanical repairs, you can resolve that clunking reverse gear to restore clean shifting and enjoy confident driving once again without the ugly lurching sensation every time you back up.