Guackman

I have an 85 GSL-SE 5-Speed with LSD.

I just started getting a strange noise from the tranny today.

It happens when I am stopped. If I engage the clutch and then put the car in any gear, it will start to sound like something rattling around in the transmission.

It keeps doing this even if I put the car in neutral. As long as I keep my foot on the clutch pedal it will make the noise.

It goes away if I release the clutch either in gear or in neutral.

I also noticed that the tranny feels a little more "notchy" than usual lately. I changed the tranny oil about a month ago. Not synthetic, but I plan on putting some in this week. I just changed it to clean it out a little before putting the synthetic oil in.

Any ideas????

Thanks.

Greg.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

The throw-out bearing is screwed.

851stgen12a

Yup time for a new throw out bearing. bummer

Guackman

I just drove it tonight and it seems a little worse. A little harder to get into 1st and really, really hard to get into reverse. The gears grind when putting it into reverse. I have to really jam it in to get into reverse.

Do you guys still think it's the throw out bearing?

I was planning on putting the car away for the winter in 2 weeks anyway. The clutch seems fine except for this new noise. DOesn't seem to slip. Do you guys think I should bother changing the clutch plate and pressure plate while everything is off? Anything else to do in the tranny? Should it be opened and inspected? i.e. broken teeth, etc...

Thanks.

Greg

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Depending on the age, miles, and condition of the clutch and PP - replace them. If still good, then re-use them.

Usually, once you take the tranny down, replace all the bearings, inspect properly, and if needed - replace the clutch, PP, and resurface the flywheel.

Guackman

Thanks for the info.

BTW, I havne never removed a transmission but I have removed, rebuilt and re-installed the engine from a 1980 Honda Civic, so I seem to pretty handy with a tool in my hand.

I'm not really familiar with the throw-out bearing though. Does this bearing sit between the clutch fork and the fingers on the pressure plate. i.e. the Inner race is of the bearing is pushed in by the clutch fork and the outer race sits on the fingers while the clutch is pressed in? I guess this is why the noise is only when the clutch is in, because that's when the bearing is being used. Am I right?

Also, why would it be hard to shift? Is the bearing now not moving the finger of the pressure plate the same amount as when it was in good shape?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this works. The Haynes manual I have doesn't explain exatly what everything does, just how to take it out and put it in.

Thanks.

Greg

Guackman

Just another tidbit of info on this problem. I just went outside and tried a few things to zero in on the noise.

It sounds like something metallic ratlling around. I think from the transmission.

Here are the steps to reproduce it:

1. Start car (duh)
2. Press clutch pedal to the floor
3. Put car in 1st -Noise starts at this point
4. Put car in neutral - noise is still present. I put my ear to the gearshift lever and it sounds really loud through here
5. Release clutch -noise disappears
6. Press clutch again, noise reappears
7. Release clutch - noise disappears
8. Press clutch - noise is GONE!

Seems like double clutching or something stops the noise. Would this happen if the release bearing were fried?

I'm thinking something is rattling around in the tranny. I did do a bad downshift about 2 days ago. Anyone think I might have shaved a couple of teeth off 3rd gear?

Thanks.

Guackman

Oops. One more thing.

It did not do it right away after starting the car. It's cold here now. About 35 degrees F.

After the tranny warmed up a bit, or the engine. I don't know. 5 minutes later anyway.

The sounds would start. Possibly the piece of metal in the tranny fluid get moved up from it's dormant state on the bottom of the tranny.

If this is the case, do you think draining the fluid would get rid of any "chunks"? or do I still have to open up the tranny?

I'm sort of thinking I'll just get everything off next spring anyway and put a CenterForce clutch as well as change all the seals, etc... I love working on this car!

Thanks.

Greg

Guackman

Tranny Noise Update.

Today the noise from the clutch area disappeared!

WTF. Now I'm not sure what was making that rattling noise. I'm now leaning towards it being something in the tranny that is now stuck to the magnetic drain plug or has just disintegrated completely.

I guess I should drain the tranny and see.

Pedestrian X

... *waiting for "ITS BACK GOD DAMNIT!!!"*

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Replace the pilot bearing (if it's even intact) and seal, throwout bearing, clutch and pressure plate. This should eliminate ALL sound problems associated with the clutch.

Guackman

Since this will be the first time I do this. Where is the pilot bearing exactly? Is it near the flywheel or the input to the tranny?

I think I'm going to take everyones advice and just drop the tranny, change the pilot, seals, release bearing, pressure and clutch plate. Also check the flywheel for resurfacing need.

Thanks.

Greg

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

The pilot bearing is what the output shaft of the trans goes into on the engine side. It's very easy to change.