Trans/Clutch Noise Issues

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon May 30, 2005 2:43 pm

Hey all, I've got a strange problem that you guys might have some ideas about.

Basically, when my car is parked with the engine running with the clutch pedal out in neutral, I hear a very distinct rattling sound from inside my bellhousing/trans area. The sound goes away as soon as I put the clutch pedal in. Also, I can't hear the noise when I'm driving in gear.

I have not yet taken a close look at the transmission design, but could this be a worn out bearing on the input shaft somewhere?

Second weird problem that I have: Sometimes when I release the clutch and take off I get a distinct 'clunk'. I get this same clunk when I go from decelerating to accelerating with the gas pedal in 1, 2nd or 3rd gear. Occasionally I get the noise when I brake too.

I have inspected the trans mounts, and they seem to be fine. Could this be something loose elsewhere? Maybe related to the above problem?

The car drives perfect otherwise.

The car had a brand new clutch/pressure plate/release bearing/pilot bearing as well as freshly machined flywheel surface only about 10,000kms ago.

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:40 pm

I dont' know about the clunking sound but my fwd wagon makes a little noise when I engage the clutch in neutral with the engine running. As soon as i push in the clutch it is gone. Worn Release bearing maybe? Just one guess.

shogun · Post by **shogun** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:41 pm

i had a soun like that when my throw out bearing was busted,

the other noise who knows

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon May 30, 2005 11:01 pm

Doesnt the release/throwout bearing only make noise when the clutch is disengaged (pedal in), not when it is engaged in neutral (pedal out)? Mine does the opposite of what I would expect. Thanks for the suggestions though.

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:05 am

I've heard this noise with some cars...guessing that it is the throwout bearing moving around in the "collar", "yoke", or however it is held.

When the pedal is out, the main shaft in the trans still turns...usually causing bearing noise in a worn trans...not rattling.

The clunk might be the clutch disc springs...if your clutch has these...maybe you've broken a spring or they are fully compressing when you take off?

Check that new oil to be sure it's up???

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:15 am

takza wrote: I've heard this noise with some cars...guessing that it is the throwout bearing moving around in the "collar", "yoke", or however it is held.

When the pedal is out, the main shaft in the trans still turns...usually causing bearing noise in a worn trans...not rattling.

The clunk might be the clutch disc springs...if your clutch has these...maybe you've broken a spring or they are fully compressing when you take off?

Check that new oil to be sure it's up???

Thanks for the suggestions Takza. I was having these problems even when my oil was topped right up.

I'm thinking I might have to pull my engine or drop my transmission to see what is happening in there. Not a job I really want to do right now, but the rattling noise is getting louder and I don't want a catastrophic failure to occur.

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:29 pm

On mine onething that was a source of irritation is that when the guy who sold me the car had the left front axle replaced the idiot mechanics who did the work were in a hurry and forgot to the put the seal on where the axle connects to the transmission. Well, I came out of dinner with a friend one evening with a nice puddle under the car. I noticed it was gear oil and I wondered. Turned out the missing seal was why. Well, I had it topped off as soon as I could and the guy had it fixed. Still, I wonder how much extra wear this put on the transmission. Fortunately, I did not have to drive more than 2-3 miles this way to home. However, the place that topped off the gear oil mentioned that it was 1.5 qt. Is that enough to cause extra wear even when I only had to drive 2-3 mi? I asked one mechanic and he said it would be OK. Still, LOL I think the trans makes a little more whine now than it did before that episode. Still can't believe those guys forgot to install the seal. Fortunately, it is fixed now.

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:26 am

jpkeels wrote: On mine onething that was a source of irritation is that when the guy who sold me the car had the left front axle replaced the idiot mechanics who did the work were in a hurry and forgot to the put the seal on where the axle connects to the transmission. Well, I came out of dinner with a friend one evening with a nice puddle under the car. I noticed it was gear oil and I wondered. Turned out the missing seal was why. Well, I had it topped off as soon as I could and the guy had it fixed. Still, I wonder how much extra wear this put on the transmission. Fortunately, I did not have to drive more than 2-3 miles this way to home. However, the place that topped off the gear oil mentioned that it was 1.5 qt. Is that enough to cause extra wear even when I only had to drive 2-3 mi? I asked one mechanic and he said it would be OK. Still, LOL I think the trans makes a little more whine now than it did before that episode. Still can't believe those guys forgot to install the seal. Fortunately, it is fixed now.

If it really was just 1.5 quarts as the guy said, it should have been ok for 2-3 mi aslong as you were driving pretty level. Maybe it was down more though? My axle seals were leaking too, luckly they are really easy to replace once the axles are pulled.