Rattle? 2001 6spd
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 664
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From: Farmingville NY
Rattle? 2001 6spd
Just purcahsed 2001 coupe 6spd. Coming off idle car makes marbles noise sounds like motor not drive train. Is this the rattle everyone talks about with the 6 spd? Once under way or between gears theres no problem, hwy spds okay even lugging it no noise. If it's the 6spd rattle what exactly is making the noise. Is it something you can live with or get used to? Will it result in any drive train damage if it's the 6spd rattle. Thanks love the car ride compared to previous vettes I've owned C-2,C-3,C-4.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
From our resident certified GM C5 technician, forum member and vendor, C-5 Tech:
The marbles in a can or "gear rattle" in neutral with the clutch released is caused by the mainshaft in the transmission rotating with no load upon it. Because the trans is rearward, when you release the clutch (even in neutral) the drive shaft and trans mainshaft are turning (free wheeling). When you press in the clutch, the drive shaft and trans mainshaft stop rotating, stopping the noise. The manual trans uses ATF that, when hot, is thinner than water and has poor noise dampening quality compared to gear oil.
You may also hear a "clank" noise when releasing the clutch rapidly in neutral. This is simply caused by the
clutch engaging the stationary drive shaft.
C-5 Tech
The marbles in a can or "gear rattle" in neutral with the clutch released is caused by the mainshaft in the transmission rotating with no load upon it. Because the trans is rearward, when you release the clutch (even in neutral) the drive shaft and trans mainshaft are turning (free wheeling). When you press in the clutch, the drive shaft and trans mainshaft stop rotating, stopping the noise. The manual trans uses ATF that, when hot, is thinner than water and has poor noise dampening quality compared to gear oil.
You may also hear a "clank" noise when releasing the clutch rapidly in neutral. This is simply caused by the
clutch engaging the stationary drive shaft.
C-5 Tech
Ha! I called Patches and C5 Tech stupid. 
