Transmission Noise?

[Festiva_tunner]

I've noticed a noise only to be described as "through out bearing noise" when the transmission is in neutral and the clutch is out there is a vibration coming from the transmission sounding like a hollow rattle. when the Pedal is depressed just as the clutch starts to disengage the noise goes away. The noise is only present when sitting still and in neutral.

Has anyone else ever ran into this problem? Is it possible to just adjust the free travel to rid this noise, and is it even possible to adjust free travel on Festys?

[denious]

I have that too, but if I wobble the shifter around a bit, it also goes away.

[Festiva_tunner]

I have that too, but if I wobble the shifter around a bit, it also goes away.

yours may be shifter bushings . . . my shifter is still fairly stiff

[Festiva_tunner]

has no one else encountered this noise?

I fear it may be another clutch swap . . .

[neanderpaul]

I had it happen to one of mine. Like has happened so many times with other little festiva issues it went away on its own.

[Festiva_tunner]

well this isnt the first time I run the clutch out of this festy so I fear that this may lead to worse

[roycehof]

Well, If it is there with the clutch engaged (Out) and not here when the clutch is pushed in, then you have the input shaft bearings in the transmission are starting to fail. They do make overhaul kits for these transmission but you will need a pretty good variety of tools to do the job. If you aren't a mechanic, then the best thing to do is to find a good trans in the junkyard and swap the complete transmission. I did my trans with a friend of mine and it has been fine. There are a lot of little details so you will need the overhaul manual. Either way GOOD LUCK. BTW, my trans lasted about 3,000 miles after the noise started and then it started jumping out of gear (4th gear if I remember correctly). Drive it gently and try not to load it too hard.

[Festiva_tunner]

. . . then you have the input shaft bearings in the transmission are starting to fail. They do make overhaul kits for these transmission but you will need a pretty good variety of tools to do the job.

It was something like this that I was afraid of. Do you have to dissasemble the gearbox or can I swap the bearing with the trans still in the car with the motor out. Also what tools do I need, I am a mechanic but know litte about Transmissions in cars. . .If this were a Big Truck now . . .

BTW, my trans lasted about 3,000 miles after the noise started and then it started jumping out of gear (4th gear if I remember correctly). Drive it gently and try not to load it too hard.

Gently . . . whats the fun in that? lol drive it like you stole it. My weekness is speed.

[roycehof]

To replace the input shaft bearings, you will need to remove the transmission and split the case. There are lots of little springs and balls for the detents that have to be capture before you split the case. It has been a while since I did mine, but I was lucky since I had seen the overhaul procedure and made notes or copied. Removing the trans is pretty straight forward and quite easy. The trans itself weight in at less than 60 pounds. You will need a press to remove and re-install the bearings on the input shaft. If you can't find the overhaul manual, let me know and i'll look through my garage. I did print out some parts of it that I thought were important. The stuff I didn't print was typical and shouldn't be needed if you have a little experience. I only replace the bearings on the input shaft and replaced the external seals and re-assembled. I didn't mess with the secondary shaft or the differential. I was able to find the parts I needed at either Auto Zone or Parts America - You will need both input shaft bearings (they are sealed by the way) the input shaft seal and I also replaced the output shaft seals. One thing I forgot to tell you earlier is when it my trans started to make the noise, I drain the fluid (ATF) and put thin gear lube in - Not sure if that is why it went for a while - I just figured if the bearing is worn past where they were hardened that the gear lube would be a better lubricant.

[Festiva_tunner]

do you think you could have done the bearing retro with the trans still in the car? Mine is the 5spd MT if that makes a difference.
I just hate pulling everything out if I dont have to.

[freshtiva]

^ No, sorry !

[packrat427]

I had a local trans shop rebuild mine , they ordered a master bearing kit overnight .

It was $700.00 parts and labor , that included machining the flywheel , and I took them a new clutch .

I have been thru all the noises , and I drove it very gently for several months , even a few long drives , and it lasted until it went to the shop .

It was bad in 1st , then it went to 2nd , and then finally went to 3rd , I tried to shift it into 4th or 5th as soon as I could .

It was like new after the fix .

[Glease]

sounds to me like a throw out bearing to me... not sure if this has been brought up yet.

my geo makes a hollow noise like that too, just when the clutch is engaged (foot not on it). When i did the head gasket, i went ahead and replaced the bearing (with the help of knowledgeable people) and the sound went away.

so hard to pinpoint without being there...

hmm. good luck!

[Festiva_tunner]

Thats what I was thinking ^^^
its a similar sound to what I used to hear on the Semi's but smaller lol . . .
also theres no shifting problems at all just a noise that I'm not happy with, its very similar in pattern to what I saw on big trucks throw out bearings thats why I figured I would ask and see if anyone had similar noise before . . . I will try to get a clip of the noise tonight

[roycehof]

Throw out bearings usually make their noises when the clutch is pushed to the floor. If I understand your original post this is making noise in neutral with the clutch out (no pressure on the pedal). That doesn't sound like a throw-out bearing to me.
Hope for your sake it is - but I doubt it. Good Luck