[bittles110]

Just recently (last 500 mi or so) my transmission has seemed noisier than usual, but only in first and second, and it seems like only when I release the clutch in a downshift.
The noise is somewhat difficult to describe. It is most noticable when downshifting into first while moving, (I never do this when I'm driving, I'm always stopped) but the noise/growl is different than the sound of the syncros, and always when I'm releasing the clutch. The noise is also heard in second, but not third through fifth.
The car and tranny I assume has 206k on the clock, and when I did the motor swap at 191k, the trans fluid was golden when I drained it. I replaced it with 10w30, and havent checked it since.
Any thoughts about what I should check for first? Any bearings that are a common culprit?

 

['9445]

I had a mainshaft bearing (the one at the clutch end) go noisy on me ... but that I could make growl just by accellerating or decelerating, didn't have to be releasing the clutch. And it was not dependent on what gear you were in.

 

[zerocool1014a]

i have a noisy trans also.. altho mine gets really loud at around 3k and above in first through third and then after that its pretty much silent.. sounds about the same problem you might be having not sure.. when you car is idle and you have it in nutral letting out the clutch does it make noise also? because mine does and i have talked to a couple people and i get things from transmission bearings to throwout bearing to syncros but what i get most is a tranny rebuild.. which most people quote around 900 to do :-/ however if you go through hmotors online they have zc trannies for 150 so that could be an option.. i have been thinking about it myself but i dont think the gearing would go well with my stock HF engine..

 

[stick]

I had a noisy bearing issue, and it actually turned out to be the pilot bearing on the flywheel.

If you have noisy bearing issues with either the pilot bearing of the throw-out bearing, it is generally recommended that you replace both. Most people recommend that you replace both every time that you change your clutch.

If you have noisy bearing issues in the tranny, it is recommended that you carefully check all the bearings in the tranny and check synchros for wear while you are at it. Taking the transmission off and taking it apart is a lot of work...it would be a shame if you re-installed it only to find out 2 months later that another bearing is on the fritz.

 

[bittles110]

I had a noisy bearing issue, and it actually turned out to be the pilot bearing on the flywheel.

When I did my SOHC ZC swap 15k miles ago, I also did a clutch which came with a throwout bearing and a pilot bearing, but I couldn't get the pilot bearing out so I left the one that came with the motor it. I spun it by finger like the service manual said, and I could not feel any play or grittiness, so I left it alone. Strange that it would start making noise after almost 15k miles...

when you car is idle and you have it in neutral letting out the clutch does it make noise also?

Yes it does, but it goes away if I push in the clutch. Wouldn't it be noisy all the time if it was the pilot bushing? Isn't the input shaft always riding inside that pilot bearing?

 

['9445]

You'd expect to hear noise from the pilot bearing and throwout bearing only when the clutch is disengaged. Although I guess the throwout bearing may still be turning even when the clutch is engaged because I think it still rests against the clutch springs even though not much pressure is being applied.