Another noisy transmission thread

[MJL944]

I'm hoping for general reassurance that my clattery S2 transmission is much like many others out there. I haven't really heard any others so I've got nothing to gauge mine against.

After a 5 month lay-off, my 197,000 miles old S2 seems to be quite a bit more noisy from the transaxle area than before. When in neutral there's a distinct 'clatter' from the rear. Imagine Woody Woodpecker on speed!
If I then depress the clutch pedal, the clatter disappears. Is this usual or indicative of something like a worn gearbox mount or torque tube, or even a wobbly exhaust or loose heat shields?

The gearbox was dropped in the past month so the petrol tank could be dropped. My specialist says he was happy with the condition of the mount, but something is certainly clattering back there. Putting my ear to the area, the noise is certainly coming from the transaxle rather than the exhaust mounts or heat shields.

There's no whine from the gearbox when in gear so I'm pretty happy that it's not serious gearbox wear. 1st into 2nd can grind slightly very occasionally, but the gearbox operates well (apart from a tediously long-throw). Clutch is only about 5,000 miles old.

Thank you for any comments.

 

[os951]

Sounds like torque tube or transaxle main shafts end bearing to me.

 

[Copperman05]

I had his, usually its the clutch release bearing that rattles like a can of beans when in neutral. However this is usually part of the clutch kit and is replaced along with clutch and you said this was done 5000 miles ago. Apparently the TT bearing can also make this noise and should have been inspected when the clutch was changed, not sure who rebuilds them now but there used to be a specialist in South London, its another gearbox out job however.


Edd

 

[eddieedmo]

when warm my transmision makes a chattering noise when idling , depress clutch and all quiet.Definitely from the g/box area , can hear it when undermeath.Told no problem , has been same for a long time. 177k miles and counting.

Nick

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: eddieedmo

when warm my transmision makes a chattering noise when idling , depress clutch and all quiet.Definitely from the g/box area , can hear it when undermeath.Told no problem , has been same for a long time. 177k miles and counting.

Nick

Mine's the same. I think it's worth having a ride in a couple to compare before panicking. []

 

[edh]

And mine....

Reasonably quiet in operation though.

My experience with 944 gearboxes is that they are usually noisy but will go on pretty much indefinitely. You could try new gearbox oil, which might make it a bit quieter. If it ever did let go, Non lsd s2 gearboxes are pretty cheap s/h

 

[MJL944]

As it sounds like this has got worse since the gearbox was removed & replaced, it might be worth just checking that the clamp between the gearbox input shaft and the drive shaft in the torque tube is properly fitted and tight. You can reach it through the large inspection bung in the rear bellhousing. However, as has been said, there is an element of "they all do that, Sir" about this kind of noise. I've heard it attributed to TT bearings, clutch release bearings and the design of the gearbox, so as mentioned by others, try to hear some other cars and /or let other owners hear yours.

ORIGINAL: MJL944
After a 5 month lay-off, my 197,000 miles old S2 seems to be quite a bit more noisy from the transaxle area than before. When in neutral there's a distinct 'clatter' from the rear. Imagine Woody Woodpecker on speed!
If I then depress the clutch pedal, the clatter disappears. Is this usual or indicative of something like a worn gearbox mount or torque tube, or even a wobbly exhaust or loose heat shields?

The gearbox was dropped in the past month so the petrol tank could be dropped. My specialist says he was happy with the condition of the mount, but something is certainly clattering back there. Putting my ear to the area, the noise is certainly coming from the transaxle rather than the exhaust mounts or heat shields.

 

[edh]

Mark - you're welcome to compare with mine some time - I think mine is due a gearbox oil change & has hard some hard use over the last year on trackdays. 233k miles now.

In use, the S2 box is quieter than both my 924S's. I think that box was more prone to the "jet engine" noise. My turbo box was fairly quiet until you took the boot carpet out...and didn't have that neutral "chatter"

I'm assuming my S2 noise is a gearbox bearing - and I'm not going to worry about it..

 

[MJL944]

I started the topic looking for reassurance that the clatter wasn't anything unusual & I've received it, so thank you to all who replied.

I have budgeted for a gearbox rebuild & short shift kit (as I hate the long & vague throw between 1st & 2nd in particular) in the next year and the replies here make me confident the gearbox will be OK until then.
When she goes in for a head gasket shortly I'll ask the specialist to have a quick look at the clamp that you mention Steve, and I'll also ask if they think the TT & Clutch release bearings are unusually noisy as others suggest.

I will take you up on the offer of a contrast & compare after the HG job, Ed - thanks for the offer.

 

[edh]

The jmgarage short shift that I tried in ewan's car felt great. I thought it completely changed the gearshift

 

[MJL944]

The JMG short-shift kits are exactly what I have my eye on.

 

[edh]

Ewan's was the race shift I think, so the most extreme version