2002 Audi A4 Downshift Rattle
 

Hello,

I am in need of some advice. I own a 2002 Audi A4 3.0L with the 6 speed manual transmission. I have started noticing that when I downshift, there is a rattle that sounds like it's coming from the middle/rear of the car. This only happens when downshifting, not upshifting. Almost sounds like the rattle of a heat shield, but when I take a look under the car, nothing obvious seems to be loose.

If you can, I'd welcome a few idea of what this could be. I worry that it'll have to be a new transmission, so anything to the contrary is even more welcome.

Thanks!

I think you can rest assured that it's not the transmission. It's probably more like a suspension bushing or, like you said, a heat shield. Since you say it's only doing it when you downshift, which means the nose is going down as the rear raises, I'd jack it up at the rear and take a rubber hammer and tap around on the suspension and even the bottom of the car to see if you can replicate the rattle and determine exactly where it's coming from.

If it were a suspension bushing or something of the sort, would it not make noise hitting bumps as well?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.... :)

Update:

Got the car on a hoist and found a piece of heat shield had come loose and was hitting against the exhaust. Ripped it off and good to go!

See, that was easy. LOL Glad you got it fixed..