intense grinding from transmission
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
intense grinding from transmission
hello everyone. I am having somewhat of a problem. I've read alot of threads on here and have narrowed it down, but i would still like to get some feed back.
i have a 1998 6 speed, and it wont go into gear at all. There is this horrible grinding noise whenever i try to release the clutch, and now it even grinds when i have it in neutral. I checked the resevoir for fluid, and it was pretty muddy so i sucked out the fluid and pumped the pedal alot and repeated until fluid was clean. The clutch seems to be engaging because it doesn't grind while pedal is depressed, so that leads me to think that its not the clutch.
Has anyone had this problem before?
i have a 1998 6 speed, and it wont go into gear at all. There is this horrible grinding noise whenever i try to release the clutch, and now it even grinds when i have it in neutral. I checked the resevoir for fluid, and it was pretty muddy so i sucked out the fluid and pumped the pedal alot and repeated until fluid was clean. The clutch seems to be engaging because it doesn't grind while pedal is depressed, so that leads me to think that its not the clutch.
Has anyone had this problem before?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
i think i might have said backwards...... when clutch is pressed down, its fine... when i release it everything grinds, even in neutral.
i have read that it could be the master, slave, air in the lines, or clutch??
i have read that it could be the master, slave, air in the lines, or clutch??
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,422
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
hello everyone. I am having somewhat of a problem. I've read alot of threads on here and have narrowed it down, but i would still like to get some feed back.
i have a 1998 6 speed, and it wont go into gear at all. There is this horrible grinding noise whenever i try to release the clutch, and now it even grinds when i have it in neutral. I checked the resevoir for fluid, and it was pretty muddy so i sucked out the fluid and pumped the pedal alot and repeated until fluid was clean. The clutch seems to be engaging because it doesn't grind while pedal is depressed, so that leads me to think that its not the clutch.
Has anyone had this problem before?
i have a 1998 6 speed, and it wont go into gear at all. There is this horrible grinding noise whenever i try to release the clutch, and now it even grinds when i have it in neutral. I checked the resevoir for fluid, and it was pretty muddy so i sucked out the fluid and pumped the pedal alot and repeated until fluid was clean. The clutch seems to be engaging because it doesn't grind while pedal is depressed, so that leads me to think that its not the clutch.
Has anyone had this problem before?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 682
Likes: 11
From: Anderson Indiana
It could be quite a few different things. Could be anything from the clutch disk, a coupler, a bearing or even the input and cluster gear damage.
Did you change anything right befor the noise started? Or did it start out of the blue?
Did you change anything right befor the noise started? Or did it start out of the blue?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
It started right out of the blue.. Ive been noticing that my clutch has been a little bit spongy for the first inch or so.. and when its cold out the pedal sticks half way up. Not too often though. I was driving up the highway going about 45mph and the grinding started, i costed into a parking lot. I tried to get it into any gear, even reverse with no success. I had it towed from there
Today i put it up on stands and cracked all the middle exhaust bolts
I can try tommorow to start it up and post a video of the noise so you guys can get a better idea of whats going on.
Corvette Cowboy
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 23
From: Cen-Cal Broke A$$ Kalifornia
I will chime in as I to have a issue with my 6spd a couple months back when I was down in Mexico I was getting on it real hard with a Mustang behind me. After on my trip home I noticed when I would let out my clutch it would make this grinding / scrapping noise when I let out my clutch in first gear. As for the other gears it would not make any noise the clutch and flywheel master cylinder have only 10k on them. I think it is my throwout bearing making the noise on the pressure plate the shop put a Tick adjuster on my car any info would be great also
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
My guess would be the THROW OUT BEARING/SLAVE CYLINDER.
If you put the trans in N and work the clutch, does it make the noise??
Could also be a bad TT input shaft bearing and or front rubber coupling (GUBLIO)
1998
If those couplings are OEM and have never been changed, they could be in really poor condition! They CRACK and deteriorate with age.
Bill
If you put the trans in N and work the clutch, does it make the noise??
Could also be a bad TT input shaft bearing and or front rubber coupling (GUBLIO)
1998
If those couplings are OEM and have never been changed, they could be in really poor condition! They CRACK and deteriorate with age.
Bill
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
In neutral, I can push the clutch in and out and it doesn't make any noise. I put it in 1st and start to let out the clutch and it grinds. It sounds close to the clutch and not back by the tranny. I'm thinking it's the throw out bearing.
I bought it in 2013 with 110,000 I think and I have around 141,000 now. I really don't know if it has been changed.
I bought it in 2013 with 110,000 I think and I have around 141,000 now. I really don't know if it has been changed.
Last edited by sargeter; Jun 22, 2017 at 12:59 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The throw out bearing is always in operation. When you have the trans in "N" and clutch peddle released the prop shaft is rotating. Depressed the throw out bearing is still pressing on the pressure plate figures.
If you turn the engine OFF, put the trans in 1st, depress the clutch and start the engine, does it still grind?
BC
If you turn the engine OFF, put the trans in 1st, depress the clutch and start the engine, does it still grind?
BC
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
I just now did that. It doesn't grind when I have it in 1st and the clutch depressed and start the engine. With it in 1st gear, the grinding doesn't start until the clutch is a couple inches off the floor when I'm releasing it.
When it is in neutral with motor running, there is no grinding when I press and release clutch.
When it is in neutral with motor running, there is no grinding when I press and release clutch.
Last edited by sargeter; Jun 22, 2017 at 02:11 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
Mine is an '02 if you're talking about mine. That's only 15 years but no big deal. I don't know if the shifter is the culprit. 15 or 19 years is still a lot.
I know this was an old thread. I did a search for "grinding" and this one came up.
I know this was an old thread. I did a search for "grinding" and this one came up.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you are talking about grinding gears when attempting to shift into gear,, that happen when:
1. The blocker rings and or synchros are shot
2. The clutch disk is NOT fully disengaging from the pressure plate and or flywheel surface and the drivetrain is being DRIVEN by the engine.
For a SMOOTH shift, the transmission needs to momentarily be disconnected from the engine. That allows the blocker rings to engage the gears that you want to engage and the match the speeds so the slider can connect the driven and drive gear.
BC
1. The blocker rings and or synchros are shot
2. The clutch disk is NOT fully disengaging from the pressure plate and or flywheel surface and the drivetrain is being DRIVEN by the engine.
For a SMOOTH shift, the transmission needs to momentarily be disconnected from the engine. That allows the blocker rings to engage the gears that you want to engage and the match the speeds so the slider can connect the driven and drive gear.
BC
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 16
First I would drain the trans & look for chunks/brass filings & refill with fresh fluid. It only costs 3-4 qts of Dextron III and would be good maint anyway. While up on lift I would gently run it through the gears & see if noise stopped in 4 (direct drive). In the other indirect gears power runs through the cluster. If inconclusive I would drain & fill the diff also looking for goodies in the drain oil.
Good luck
Good luck
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
Now, I am really befuddled. It has been sitting a couple of days because I was afraid to drive until I could get it into the Chevy dealer. This morn, I just decided to drive it to better diagnose just what it was doing.
When I took off, it just made the sound a little bit. It had been making a lot of noise. I drove around, stopping at a bunch of stop signs, and taking off. It didn't do it at all that I could hear. Shifting through the gears while driving it doesn't and wasn't doing it at all. Sitting still, in neutral, while the motor was running and not running, pushing the clutch in and letting it out, it wasn't doing it.
When I got back and went to back up, it did it in reverse a little but not a lot. I pulled forward and back a few times. Only in reverse, when I let the clutch out, would it make a small grinding sound. Nothing like the loud grinding noises it was making when it first started doing it a few days ago.
I live in a small town and there aren't a lot of places I could take it to that I would be confident with other than the dealer. 20 years ago, I would have had it up on jack stands working on it but I'm old and on oxygen now and can't do all that anymore. I've got a son-in-law who does the light work for me.
When I took off, it just made the sound a little bit. It had been making a lot of noise. I drove around, stopping at a bunch of stop signs, and taking off. It didn't do it at all that I could hear. Shifting through the gears while driving it doesn't and wasn't doing it at all. Sitting still, in neutral, while the motor was running and not running, pushing the clutch in and letting it out, it wasn't doing it.
When I got back and went to back up, it did it in reverse a little but not a lot. I pulled forward and back a few times. Only in reverse, when I let the clutch out, would it make a small grinding sound. Nothing like the loud grinding noises it was making when it first started doing it a few days ago.
I live in a small town and there aren't a lot of places I could take it to that I would be confident with other than the dealer. 20 years ago, I would have had it up on jack stands working on it but I'm old and on oxygen now and can't do all that anymore. I've got a son-in-law who does the light work for me.
Last edited by sargeter; Jun 24, 2017 at 12:15 PM.