Drivetrain noise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Drivetrain noise
I have a 2002 6sp w/16k miles.I'm the second owner and the car is driven very conservatively.I don't know how the first owner drove the car but when I recieved it w/12k it was in showroom condition.My consern is when I'm driving very slow in 1st gearI can hear a loud rattle comming from somewhere under the car.It only does this when driving very slow about 5 MPH or backing up out of a driveway etc.It seems to be active when you turning to the right.If the clutch is pushed in the noise goes away instantly.I have no problem at high speed or under hard power.I have installed the proper redline oil in the trany and rear diff.Should I have added any aditives with it?This problem doesn't happen all the time but when it does it's very annoying.Do I have any conserns or is this a normal sound that everyone has to put up with a 6sp.Thanks for your'e time...... 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like the "marbles-in-a-can" syndrome. It's normal for our MN6/M12 manual setups.
From our very own C-5 Tech:
The marbles-in--can sound 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.
From our very own C-5 Tech:
The marbles-in--can sound 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.
