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Pulsating Issues with 6th gear

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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 01:10 PM
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Default Pulsating Issues with 6th gear

I have a 98 6speed manual and when I am on the highway in 6th gear it pulsates.

It is a very regular vibration too, about 1 second of vibration, 1 second fine, 1 second vibration, 1 second fine and is continuous. It does not vibrate if I coast in neutral (so it's not a wheel weight or alignment) and it does not vibrate in 5th gear.

It does the pulsating vibration if I am in cruise or if I am not using cruise.

I had the rear diff fluid changed to see if this made any difference (i have high miles and this needed to be done anyway) and it made no difference.

What could this be? A gear going bad? Something out of balance?
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 05:36 PM
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If you drive the same speed in 5th gear as in 6th gear, and you only hear/feel it in 6th gear.. then 6th gear in the tranny is bad. I'd really make sure this is the case because if you can get it to do the same vibration, at the same speed, regardless of gear, then it's the rear end or rear bearings. (much cheaper to r/r)
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 10:38 PM
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You mentioned high milage, the problem could be one or both rear bearings. They are sealed so there is no maintanence, only replacement.

Just a thought,
JB.
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mellowyellow01vert
You mentioned high milage, the problem could be one or both rear bearings. They are sealed so there is no maintanence, only replacement.

Just a thought,
JB.
yes, but then it would make the noise/vibration independent of the gear. (which is why I was making sure)
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 11:10 AM
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it is only vibrating in the 6th gear above 70 mph, 5th gear at any speed is A OK.
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 11:15 AM
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Have your tires re-balanced and re-align the car. Cyclic vibrations can be a pain to find but normally the tires or alignment.
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dgrant3830
Have your tires re-balanced and re-align the car. Cyclic vibrations can be a pain to find but normally the tires or alignment.
This had been done previously, plus as I stated if I let it ride in neutral at 70+ it's as smooth as butter, only vibrates in 6th gear
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dgrant3830
Have your tires re-balanced and re-align the car. Cyclic vibrations can be a pain to find but normally the tires or alignment.
Unfortunately, if that were the case, it wouldn't matter what gear he was in.

Originally Posted by LeeRox713
it is only vibrating in the 6th gear above 70 mph, 5th gear at any speed is A OK.
Sorry, tranny work is in your future. Until then, use 5th whenever possible. What ever is making noise/vibration is not getting better as you use it.
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by LeeRox713
I have a 98 6speed manual and when I am on the highway in 6th gear it pulsates.

It is a very regular vibration too, about 1 second of vibration, 1 second fine, 1 second vibration, 1 second fine and is continuous. It does not vibrate if I coast in neutral (so it's not a wheel weight or alignment) and it does not vibrate in 5th gear.

It does the pulsating vibration if I am in cruise or if I am not using cruise.

I had the rear diff fluid changed to see if this made any difference (i have high miles and this needed to be done anyway) and it made no difference.

What could this be? A gear going bad? Something out of balance?
Its probally about time to think about a rebuild...The good news that Tick performance is near you. They are very good guys. they are out of mooresville NC.

They rebuilt mine the right way after a horrible experience with a different vendor on LS1tech.com.

Another good thing is that 6th is in the VERY back of the transmission. Its possible to repair this without tearing down the entire unit, I had my 5th repaied from that other vendors mishap and it took them under a hour to do it.

Its also possible they can repair/replace your 6th gear without removing the transmission, Just by removing the differential and sliding the rear cover off. they can do it with it on the lift.

Give em a call and see what they say
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 01:32 PM
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Thanks for the tip, I will be sure to give them a call today.
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