LOUD rattle. transmission? something else?

sad sailor · 05-15-2008, 08:50 PM

I've about had it with this silly little 924. The slave cylinder blew seals a few months ago, so I finally got around to fixing it recently along with the brake line it managed to also blow up. When I got it running again, I noticed that 3rd gear had a funny buzz that it would make only for the second that it took you to shift into gear, but other than that, it drove fine. The problem happened tonight, though. I was delivering pizzas in the 924 (only because I blew my toyota out today) when 2nd gear started giving a real bad whine while in gear. Finally, I heard a really loud CLANG immediately followed by a deafening rattle sound coming from the rear of the car. It happens in all gears, and when driving, it clunks and rattles, and intermittently, it'll force the car to stop. It still drives, but not without TONS of noise, though I will say that with the exception of 2nd gear, it still shifts without any real problem.

I was told prior to this happening that the synchronizer for 3rd gear may have been going, but my only real speculation was that the clutch plate was dying. I'm a chevy mechanic, so I know VERY little about these cars, so I would appreciate any wisdom that could be bestowed upon me.

phoenix_iii · 05-16-2008, 03:38 AM

I have a thread I started. Different Symptoms. Things I would want to know.

Does it make the noise in neutral with clutch in vs. clutch out and the car rolling (down hill, pushed, however)? Stationary? Connected to engine revs?

What about while in gear? Clutch in, clutch out? While rolling/coasting? While still? What about under load (accelerating)?

Trans fluid/diff fluid serviced last? Check the Clutch inspection hole? Metal shavings in trans fluid? Put piece of tape on Clutch inspection hole, drive a bit, inspect catchings?

rickharrison · 05-16-2008, 06:10 AM

sad sailor...sounds like the ring and pinion are toast and are grinding each other up. be careful it doesn't kill the syncros too.

it might be too late though...

sad sailor · 05-16-2008, 08:54 PM

I'm glad you reminded me, phoenix_iii. I tried to remember to make mention of this, but I forgot while writing my original post. The sound disappears when I depress the clutch pedal, and only seems to occur when the car is in gear, and when the clutch pedal is not depressed. (Even if the car is not in gear, the sound will persist if there is no pressure on the clutch pedal) I haven't had any time to check the clutch inspection hole, but I will after Saturday night. Somehow I'm willing to bet pulling this tranny out and repairing it isn't really an option for me, as some people I've talked to have told me that it requires special tools (expensive) and special expertise (also expensive) in order to accomplish this.

I'll push the car in neutral tomorrow and see if it makes any noise. Thanks for the advice, guys.

sad sailor · 06-27-2008, 07:34 PM

I inspected this a little more, and I'd swear that the sound is actually coming from the rear end. Would this maybe be the cause of the intermittent stopping the car will endure while it's in drive? Again, I know hardly anything about these cars. It shifts extremely poorly, and rattles loud enough to wake up the entire neighborhood. As before, however, the rattling stops when I depress the clutch pedal.

I'm stumped here.

hpservertech · 06-27-2008, 07:57 PM

If it is the transmission you can get one from one of the guys that are parting out cars pretty cheap. I've seen them go from $150 - $300 + shipping.