Manual transmission bearing wear and whining noise!?!?!
#1
I've noticed a slight whining noise when my transmission is in gear. Usually noticed in first gear and low in second gear. Its not the throw-out bearing. I've heard about problems in 4th gen manual tranny's relating to some sort of internal bearing wear. It sounds like a high pitched (not a squeal) whine. If I engage neutral it goes away. My tranny operates fine other wise. First gear engages smoothly and the clutch was replaced about 2 months ago. The sound is not related to wheel bearings (thought this was the culprit). I had those changed about 2 weeeks ago. Any help would be great. My transmission is under warranty since it was rebuilt and I'd like to cure this minor problem before it sprouts into something bigger. Is it possible it could be a pilot bearing/bushing. Let me know if I'm not clear enough about the exact problem.
#2
Bad bearings
Originally posted by 2ndMAX
I've noticed a slight whining noise when my transmission is in gear. Usually noticed in first gear and low in second gear. Its not the throw-out bearing. I've heard about problems in 4th gen manual tranny's relating to some sort of internal bearing wear. It sounds like a high pitched (not a squeal) whine. If I engage neutral it goes away. ...
I've noticed a slight whining noise when my transmission is in gear. Usually noticed in first gear and low in second gear. Its not the throw-out bearing. I've heard about problems in 4th gen manual tranny's relating to some sort of internal bearing wear. It sounds like a high pitched (not a squeal) whine. If I engage neutral it goes away. ...
... Is it possible it could be a pilot bearing/bushing. ...
... Let me know if I'm not clear enough about the exact problem.
- you had (or have) the wrong quantity or quality lubricant in the transmission
- the rebuilder failed to replace worn bearings
- the rebuilder did replace worn bearings and the new bearings are defective
#4
Re: Bad bearings
Originally posted by Daniel B. Martin
This is a perfect description of worn or defective transmission bearings.
No. The pilot bearing supports the tip of the transmission input shaft. When the clutch is fully engaged the shaft and bushing do not move relative to each other.
Your description is perfectly clear. This problem arose because ...
- you had (or have) the wrong quantity or quality lubricant in the transmission
- the rebuilder failed to replace worn bearings
- the rebuilder did replace worn bearings and the new bearings are defective
This is a perfect description of worn or defective transmission bearings.
No. The pilot bearing supports the tip of the transmission input shaft. When the clutch is fully engaged the shaft and bushing do not move relative to each other.
Your description is perfectly clear. This problem arose because ...
- you had (or have) the wrong quantity or quality lubricant in the transmission
- the rebuilder failed to replace worn bearings
- the rebuilder did replace worn bearings and the new bearings are defective
Again thanks for your help Daniel you're a great resource to the this forum. I hope everyone read your posts carefully.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
That sucks. I just had my internal bearings replaced at only 64K miles, bummer. The sound I heard was more of a grinding type noise, in first gear. So wait, you've heard that this is a common problem with the 4th gen manual? Anyways, it was a major inconvienience. It cost me about 950 bucks. However, I got a brand new clutch installed for $200!!! Now that's a deal.
#6
One-way street
Originally posted by 2ndMAX
... do think its wise I bring the car back to the transmission shop or should I try the synthetic and wait to see the result? ...
... do think its wise I bring the car back to the transmission shop or should I try the synthetic and wait to see the result? ...
Bearing noise is a "one-way street". It can only get worse. The open question is how quickly it will get worse. In the extreme, noisy bearings are so loud you cannot drown out the sound by turning up the radio. (Spoken by one who knows!)
#7
Let me correct that....
I've noticed that this is a problem a few 4th gen owners have had with their manual transmissions. From what I see from owners complaints' its usually after at least 50k miles. Transmissions are such tricky things that in most cases I believe tranny shops rob the customers blind. For example the replacement of your bearings. I'm sure $950 was a lot more than was necessary to complete the job and still pay the mechanic a good labor rate. These shops are usually the first and last to see the internals of the tranny so they can make whatever assessment they see fit in order to justify whatever cost they see fit.
Dont mind me, I'm always under the impression they wanna rob me.
Kevin
Dont mind me, I'm always under the impression they wanna rob me.
Kevin
#8
Re: Let me correct that....
Originally posted by 2ndMAX
... For example the replacement of your bearings. I'm sure $950 was a lot more than was necessary to complete the job and still pay the mechanic a good labor rate. ...
... For example the replacement of your bearings. I'm sure $950 was a lot more than was necessary to complete the job and still pay the mechanic a good labor rate. ...
#9
Re: Let me correct that....
Originally posted by 2ndMAX
I've noticed that this is a problem a few 4th gen owners have had with their manual transmissions. From what I see from owners complaints' its usually after at least 50k miles. Transmissions are such tricky things that in most cases I believe tranny shops rob the customers blind. For example the replacement of your bearings. I'm sure $950 was a lot more than was necessary to complete the job and still pay the mechanic a good labor rate. These shops are usually the first and last to see the internals of the tranny so they can make whatever assessment they see fit in order to justify whatever cost they see fit.
Dont mind me, I'm always under the impression they wanna rob me.
Kevin
I've noticed that this is a problem a few 4th gen owners have had with their manual transmissions. From what I see from owners complaints' its usually after at least 50k miles. Transmissions are such tricky things that in most cases I believe tranny shops rob the customers blind. For example the replacement of your bearings. I'm sure $950 was a lot more than was necessary to complete the job and still pay the mechanic a good labor rate. These shops are usually the first and last to see the internals of the tranny so they can make whatever assessment they see fit in order to justify whatever cost they see fit.
Dont mind me, I'm always under the impression they wanna rob me.
Kevin
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, $950 was alot to pay for that work. I took it to Aamco Transmissions and they quoted me around $750, but I decided to let the dealer do the work. I've learned, from experience with my old SHO, that the dealer is about the only place that will stand behind thier work. Oh and I'm so happy about my new clutch. For $200!! My old one wasn't even that bad but I figured, "Pay $200 now, or pay $850 in a year".
#11
i don't think you have to worry if they're is a very faint slight whine in the first gear or two... afterall, these are mechanical gears acting on each other.
anyway, my 97 5sp has 130,000+ miles on it and it's still quiet and still on the original clutch. the other thing that can cause premature wear is low fluid level.
this happened in my '92 ford ranger... I had a leak that I didn't know about... started hearing whining. couldn't figure out what it was.. finally checked the trans fluid level, and it was pretty dry... filled it back up, but the noise never went away. it sounds like i have a jet engine now
i was working under my '97 max the other day and noticed fluid coming out of what i think is the reverse/neutral switch... i've got a replacement part, and have only driven the car as sparing as possible since then until i can check the fluid level again. the low/no fluid may not lubricate the surfaces properly and cause accelerated wear. there'll be no cooling action of the fluid running over the parts either. so the leaking seals might not have caused the noise, but the results of the low fluid may have...
-V
anyway, my 97 5sp has 130,000+ miles on it and it's still quiet and still on the original clutch. the other thing that can cause premature wear is low fluid level.
this happened in my '92 ford ranger... I had a leak that I didn't know about... started hearing whining. couldn't figure out what it was.. finally checked the trans fluid level, and it was pretty dry... filled it back up, but the noise never went away. it sounds like i have a jet engine now
i was working under my '97 max the other day and noticed fluid coming out of what i think is the reverse/neutral switch... i've got a replacement part, and have only driven the car as sparing as possible since then until i can check the fluid level again. the low/no fluid may not lubricate the surfaces properly and cause accelerated wear. there'll be no cooling action of the fluid running over the parts either. so the leaking seals might not have caused the noise, but the results of the low fluid may have...
-V
#12
Originally posted by MaxedOut97SE
That sucks. I just had my internal bearings replaced at only 64K miles, bummer. The sound I heard was more of a grinding type noise, in first gear. So wait, you've heard that this is a common problem with the 4th gen manual? Anyways, it was a major inconvienience. It cost me about 950 bucks. However, I got a brand new clutch installed for $200!!! Now that's a deal.
That sucks. I just had my internal bearings replaced at only 64K miles, bummer. The sound I heard was more of a grinding type noise, in first gear. So wait, you've heard that this is a common problem with the 4th gen manual? Anyways, it was a major inconvienience. It cost me about 950 bucks. However, I got a brand new clutch installed for $200!!! Now that's a deal.
#13
Re: bearings
Originally posted by 99SEBABY
Mine does that now and I only have 11k miles on my 99. Only in 1st and second gear. The clutch chatters when it's wet or really hot.
Mine does that now and I only have 11k miles on my 99. Only in 1st and second gear. The clutch chatters when it's wet or really hot.
#14
Splash guards
Originally posted by GTRBlkMax97
I have the same thing when it rains, is that the bearings Daniel? I also have the whine that 2ndMax has. I still have the powertrain warrenty so i think I will tell nissan to jump on it and replace it. maybe I can get a clutch put in for 200 too Austin
I have the same thing when it rains, is that the bearings Daniel? I also have the whine that 2ndMax has. I still have the powertrain warrenty so i think I will tell nissan to jump on it and replace it. maybe I can get a clutch put in for 200 too Austin
Whenever you have a symptom which is correlated with rain, you should verify that all the plastic splash guards around the engine are still in place. If not, repair or replace as necessary.
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