Manual Trans Rattle

JamesMcFall · Post by **JamesMcFall** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:53 pm

Hi Guys,
I'm in the market for a 1.8 6Spd NB at the moment. I've test driven about 4-5 and a problem I've noticed on a couple is when you are doing 40-50k, and you put it in 6th and put your foot down, you get a definite metallic rattle out of the trans.

I had an old NA VSPEC years ago, and this did this too, yet the NA I got after that didn't.

This problem has occurred in 3 of the 5 cars I've tested and it's put me off each time. The dealer told me it's because I was going too slow for 6th (probably true but I was testing for the noise) and it was laboring the trans. It doesn't occur at more reasonable speeds, 70+. My old man said that's probably true (he's a mechanic) yet I'm still not sure.

Any of you guys have any experience with that problem?

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:35 pm

Sometimes the exhaust pipe protective covers can vibrate when you are labouring the car. It could be these...
I know on the NA's there is a steel gasket between block and the bellhousing. There is a screw that bolts part of this gasket to the block to stop vibration. If this screw comes loose the steel gasket can vibrate at low revs. Unfortunately you have to split the gearbox to see the screw as it is near the flywheel (Close to where the dipstick is).

poison · Post by **poison** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:24 pm

Sounds more like pinking (preignition), 6th and flooring it at less than 50k
is bad for the engine and asking for trouble.

[Posted via external email]

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:30 pm

Preignition..... sounds likely

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:18 pm

But he says it's coming from the transmission...

poison · Post by **poison** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:34 pm

Just like that bonnet rattle everyone gets seems to come form the glove
box...

[Posted via external email]

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:35 am

Absolutely it's "pinging" - pre ignition.
50km/h in top gear is only 1500 rpm.
Surprisingly hard to pinpoint the sound location, but drive alongside a concrete barrier with the hood down, and everything is much clearer.
I've heard it in mine too - made me change my driving habits. Around town, drive it like it's a 4-speed. If it's a JDM Nb, use premium (96 octane) fuel.
The 6 speed Aisin AZ-6 gearbox should be strong, same box as in the Altezza/Lexus is 6 speed. Aisin make (made?) boxes/transaxles for Porsche 911s.
The extra gear is mainly superfluous to needs, and probably the only advantage in an Nb is if you like changing gear a lot or plan to turbo it. I still fudge shifts sometimes - I need to think about shifting, but with a 5 speed I don't.

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:00 am

Aisin make gearboxes for Renaults too, are they cool?

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:40 am

Habanero666 wrote:Aisin make gearboxes for Renaults too, are they cool?

In Akaroa on Bastille Day - yep, very cool indeed.

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:43 am

Ah at last a Renault fan!

Wannabe Kiwi · Post by **Wannabe Kiwi** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:01 pm

Habanero666 wrote:Ah at last a Renault fan!

Another Renault fan here. Used to have a Renaultsport Clio 172 when i lived in the UK

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Nice!
I still love the old clio's new ones are a bit heavy and not so revy.
I think the Renault company will be in trouble now that the Nissan investment has gone sour.... due to USA extortion tactics toward all foreign interest in the automtive industry. Shamefull!

poison · Post by **poison** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:57 pm

Mark wrote:In Akaroa on Bastille Day

I don't know why everyone hates the lovely French, they may be a little arrogant, the only people to come to NZ as terrorists and kill a kiwi while they were at it, and test Nuke's on our back door step.

But they can't be all that bad, they do celebrate my birthday, and called it Bastille day. Probably a typo, I think they meant Bastards Day.

poison · Post by **poison** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:59 pm

Wannabe Kiwi wrote:Used to have a Renault sport Clio

Another typo no doubt... 4 keys to the left....

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:17 pm

remember the soap Knights castille? WASH YO MOUTH OUT!

Habanero666 · Post by **Habanero666** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:19 pm

Renault french womans parts would sell as good as swedish grandaddy womens parts cars.
-and thats not just lip service.

Fett slemm!!

RMS · Post by **RMS** » Wed Oct 06, 2010 9:22 pm

I have a rattle coming from the drive train at 2-3krpm on accel/deccel.

It's not pre ignition.

Thought it was coming from the top of the trans when I stuck my head under the car with a friend on the throttle but I changed to a reasonably fresh 6spd last weekend and it's still there.

I don't think it's the heat shields either.

When I replaced the box I stuck my finger in the splined hole in the centre of the clutch plate and noticed there was a little play there. I'm thinking that the springs in the clutch may have some play and since those springs are bound to resonate at a certain speed any play would cause vibration?

Sounds like a good theory to me anyway.

Loving the 6spd too.