whine when changing gears

[jtoronado]

i have an "86 911 w/ 915 transmission. last week i noticed a small whine when i change gears that sounds like its coming from the shifter. i was going to start by checking transmission oil and then changing it w swepco. anyone else had this problem? am i just getting low on trans oil or is this a symptom of something bigger? thanks for any help!

also...do i have to level the car on jack stands (i dont have) or can i just jack up the driver side, pull the rear wheel and find the fill plug and add some oil to see if whining stops? thanks!

[jtoronado]

to be clearer, this happens when i put in clutch and change gear and it sounds like a high pitched whine emanating from the shifter area. after it goes in gear the whine stops and it drives fine w no other noise. anyone?

[Christien]

I don't feel confident answering your first question, as it could potentially be serious. My first thought is that if it doesn't make noise when in gear and driving, it's not serious, but a noise from the shifter area while you're actually moving the gear shift lever would make me think that something spinning inside the transmission is somehow making contact with the shift selector rod. Nothing should be making that contact. Of course, there could be something, say, lodged in the tunnel that's transmitting vibration from the car chassis to the shift rod when you're shifting. You might just try pulling the tunnel cover off (in the back seat), pull back the boot in there and have a look around. It's a longshot, but it's free and easy, and I always like to start there first

As for topping up the fluid, I don't see why you couldn't just jack the driver's side up, pull the wheel, then top up the tranny. In fact, because the fill plug is on the driver's side, you'll be able to get a bit more fluid in there than you would if it were flat side-to-side. The guideline for when it's full is that you can put you finger in the fill hole and feel fluid. I usually just fill it until it starts to overflow a bit, then plug her up. I don't think it's critical to get exactly the right amount in, like it is with engine oil.

[jtoronado]

thanks for reply. the whine only just started and before this was driving great for many years. it doesnt sound like a grinding noise, just a small squeak when i switch gears and a slight stickiness getting it into gear. as if something wasnt lubricated. would a low transmission oil level cause this?? i'm not sure if i can get swepco in my area--if not, what else should i use to top it off?

[Christien]

First off, what are you driving? Are we talking 901, 915, G50? 996/997?

Again, with the cheap and easy stuff, lift up the shifter boot so you can access the bottom of the shifter. Make sure everything down there is well greased. That might take care of it right there. You might consider replacing the bushings in there too - search here for shifter bushing replacement. Cheap (can't remember what the set of bushings cost, but it can't be more than $20) and only takes a few minutes. The shift coupler bushing takes some more time, but the whole project took me maybe 2 hours, and was one of the first DIY projects I ever did on any car. That might solve your problem right there.

As for transmission fluids, after my rebuild I just used Castrol tranny oil. Swepco can be tricky to find, but if you're in the US, you can go to their website and find a local distributor, or at least a phone # where you can order some. I did have Swepco in there before, and will swear under oath that I can't tell a difference in shifting between the Swepco and the Castrol, including driving at the track.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by jtoronado

i have an "86 911 w/ 915 transmission. last week i noticed a small whine when i change gears that sounds like its coming from the shifter. i was going to start by checking transmission oil and then changing it w swepco. anyone else had this problem? am i just getting low on trans oil or is this a symptom of something bigger? thanks for any help!

also...do i have to level the car on jack stands (i dont have) or can i just jack up the driver side, pull the rear wheel and find the fill plug and add some oil to see if whining stops? thanks!

Throwout bearing ? Push in the clutch while in neutral, and rev it up and down.

[jtoronado]

a mechanic friend of mine came over and agreed it was probably a shift coupler bushing. i'm about to do a search on here for what that entails. i have tools and can use them. you said about 2 hours? does the front console and shifter have to come out? thanks for the help.

[Christien]

For just the coupler, no. The coupler is located under the tunnel cover on the floor between the 2 back seats (well, where your feet would go). It's what connects the rod from the gear shift to the input shaft of the transmission. You can buy a new coupler with the bushings already installed, because the bushings are a bit of a PITA to get in, without destroying, but it's definitely possible to just replace the bushings. That's what I did. You'll have to search here for the process (or it might be in 101 Projects, can't remember) but it's really straightforward. The only time consuming process is figuring out how to get the new bushings in without damaging them. If you're careful and mark the coupler before disconnecting it, I think you can get away without having to readjust it, which if you don't do exactly right, will result in grinding gears and possible not being able to find 5th/reverse.

[jtoronado]

ok cool. found the thread on how to do the coupler.

i was confusing it and the shifter bushing replacement. do you have to pull the console and or the shifter to replace/grease the shifter bushing or just pull up the leather housing? i havent pried around in there yet but will in the am. you said it was a quick fix and the squeal sounds like its coming from in there. ill do a search...thx!

[Christien]

I'm not sure about the console, because my car doesn't have one. The shift lever does need to come out to replace the bushings, because there's one on the bottom of the lever, but it's a piece of cake. But if the shifting is otherwise fine and changing the coupler bushing dixes the problem, don't's bother. Then again, it's easy and cheap and probably will improve shifting a bit.

[jtoronado]

ordered the bushing kit from pelican. will report back once they're replaced. will swap out tranny fluid too w swepco. thanks for the help!