Transmission noise
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Transmission noise
Hey all I have an 08 mt6 roadster that just hit 6k miles. In the last week or so I noticed an abnormal noise comming from the transmission at idle. With the clutch depressed the noise goes away, but let go and it comes back. Sometimes it is far louder than others. I have an appointment with local dealership to take a look, but I was wondering if this is a common or rare occurance. I see the 07's have some tranny probs but didnt see anything for the 08's. Just wondering if anyone had any insight if this normal after breakin period( I completely babied her thus far)?
Thanks all for any assistance.
Thanks all for any assistance.
Perfectly normal. Its flywheel chatter. When you have the clutch in the noise is gone but when the clutch is out (neutral) it sounds like a cement grinder type of noise. Probably louder in a garage or beside a wall. Hope this helps!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
wow thanks free. Actually funny enough I first noticed it pulling into my extremely small garage, I was terrified at the noise. Should I still take her to the dealership for a look see just to be safe(already took the day off and it is still under warranty?) Thanks again!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: South Fla.
That is not flywheel chatter. It's gear lash noise and/or rattle and is completely harmless.
A piston engine's power delivery is not seamless like an electric motor. A piston engine makes pulses of power very rapidly. How often? In the M3, (3 X rpm) per minute. Now realize that any drivetrain component (transmission or differential) has a certain amount of looseness or slack in it - it must, or being too tight would create a lot more friction. So when the power pulse engages the transmission, it is causing the rotational power going through the unit to take up that slack. This effectively causes components to touch that were not pressed together a moment before. Between each power pulse, those components de-couple. Press any two hard objects together, whether it be a tea cup and saucer or a hammer and nail, and you notice that noise is made. Repeat the contact-release-contact cycle quickly and it makes a staccato sound - a rattle.
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: South Fla.
^^^ thats what i thought too. so the dealership replaced mine free of charge and it was still making the noise... got a new bearing though haha.
yea my 07' does the same ish... kinda pisses me off but i've pretty much gotten over it.
yea my 07' does the same ish... kinda pisses me off but i've pretty much gotten over it.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
well folks, i've had the same noise with my 08. i've got 37700 miles now. took it in at 1000 mile again at 5000 then again at 36500. i replaced the throwout asy. when i upgraded the clutch at 32000 miles. the noise got worse over time and finaly they decided to replace the trans on the last visit. the car shifts better and sounds normal again. wondrful
from what a lot of people are describing it sounds like a faulty throwout bearing... but everyone keeps insisting that this is normal. on my RSX tho, i had a lot of noise in neutral with the clutch disengaged, and then the exact same "whining" through the gears that some people described... took it in, turns out there was no fluid in the transmission (badly done fluid flush, didn't torque the drain bolt enough and it popped out) and that's what caused the bearing to fail. so i don't know...
*update* took it to the dealer, they claimed it's because my clutch is wearing out... standing on the throttle in 4th gear doesn't quite agree with that assessment though, and i haven't felt any slippage in the week that i've owned it, but we'll see...
*update* took it to the dealer, they claimed it's because my clutch is wearing out... standing on the throttle in 4th gear doesn't quite agree with that assessment though, and i haven't felt any slippage in the week that i've owned it, but we'll see...
Last edited by theKoosh; Mar 30, 2009 at 09:12 AM.
