Transmission Clunking?, Is my tranny toast? Options

[jordisonjr]

Alright so Im back with another problem and need a diagnosis, or atleast something to look for. So i've had this clunking noise coming from under my 95 gts in the front end, it sounds almost like a wheel bearing. As I speed up the sound gets more intense and speeds up as well. So I thought it was one of the wheel bearings but i had both front bearings done and i looked over them and they were alright.

I recently had my cv boot changed about 3 months ago( yes i know this was dumb but my dad is stubborn and thinks his way is always right) but anyways, I thought that maybe it was the CV joint in the front end. So I took it to a family friend who is also a mechanic and we got it up on the hoist. The axles checked out and were fine. When I had my wheel bearings done one of the ABS sensors were broken and he said that maybe it was the ABS trying to come(this is a different mechanic that did my wheel bearings and screwed up my ABS sensor)

So the car was on the hoist and as we rotated the front wheels we found that the clunking was coming from the differential in between where the two axles go into the tranny. so he got me to jump in the car and run it thourhg the gears and he said thats definately where it is coming from. HE said that it could just be the release bearing is dry. now my question is

-has anyone ever had a problem like this with their car and what was the solution?
-Is my tranny done or do i just need a new clutch

Keep in mind I am running basically a stock 95 celica and any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I know this was long so thanks everyone for your patience.

-Colin

[Jamchell]

Alright so Im back with another problem and need a diagnosis, or atleast something to look for. So i've had this clunking noise coming from under my 95 gts in the front end, it sounds almost like a wheel bearing. As I speed up the sound gets more intense and speeds up as well.

-Colin

OK, you most likely have a problem with your wheel bearing(fixed) a CV joint(cosmetically fixed) or your differential. If the sound doesn't change as you shift through gears and operate the clutch, then it isn't your release bearing.


It's quite possible that the mechanic who replaced your CV boot also damaged your differential during the repair. Same shop that "fixed" your ABS sensor? I've known plenty of mechanics who go by the motto "Watch, I'll make it fit!"


IMO they shouldn't even sell CV boots, it just encourages people to do half ass repairs.

[808celica]

low on fluid?? maybe you have clutch chatter

[jordisonjr]

JAmchell: WE had it up on the lift and he had me go through all the gears, the sound stayed consistant, it sped up as i accelerated so did the sound. it also slowed down as the car did. you could hear the sound was coming directly from the differential where the two cv axles connect. DO you know what kind of problem this would be? am i doing to needa new transmission?

What kind of damage could the cv axlr have done on the differential? COuld that have been cause by the mechanic just jammin the axle into it and "making it fit"?

808celica: All the fluid levels were good, is that the only thing that could cause clutch chatter?

[Jamchell]

JAmchell: WE had it up on the lift and he had me go through all the gears, the sound stayed consistant, it sped up as i accelerated so did the sound. it also slowed down as the car did. you could hear the sound was coming directly from the differential where the two cv axles connect. DO you know what kind of problem this would be? am i doing to needa new transmission?

What kind of damage could the cv axlr have done on the differential? COuld that have been cause by the mechanic just jammin the axle into it and "making it fit"?

808celica: All the fluid levels were good, is that the only thing that could cause clutch chatter?

One thing you can do when the car is up in the air and the wheels are turning slowly is to stop one of the wheels from turning, this may cause the sound to change if the differential is damaged. try it with each side and note the change.

Well yes the damage could be caused by an overzealous mechanic hammering the axle assembly into the transmission on reinstall. There is no way i could say this with certainty though and it may just be mileage/wear. Also, the driver's side axle would be the most likely to be damaged this way. Most likely they removed the whole assy. to replace the boot as it is easier to do it that way. I have seen quite a few cars damaged this way. It takes quite some force to do this but it happens. you might not need a new transmission though.

I'll be quite surprised if this is a clutch problem since the noise doesn't change at all with the pedal. It's almost certainly originating before the transmission itself, if you drive it much though there may be more damage due to loose metal circulating in there. Honestly if you don't feel comfortable with splitting a trans case take it into a reputable transmission shop. This way they could look for installation damage and give you a ballpark for repairs.

Clutch chatter is usually caused by a warped/heat stressed flywheel or a badly contaminated/broken friction surface and can refer to a sound or a strong vibration when engaging the clutch, especially when cold. The confusing thing is they are both called chatter and actually cause different symptoms.


One type is evident when engaging the clutch while driving. Example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPIZFugC2P8...feature=related


Another can be heard at idle and increases with engine Rpm, but not Axle Rpm. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Vc7IXfdSg...feature=related


A release bearing is a whole different problem, but can sound like either a scratchy squeak or a knocking, also it can add a pulsating feel to the clutch pedal. This will change when you engage and release the clutch as well.

[jordisonjr]

So you think that this would most likely be a problem with the differential then? Thats more what Im leaning towars but i'm really hoping its a clutch haha but i doubt it. but anyways, how would a shop go about fixing that would they just have to rebuild the diff? and what kind of costs am I looking at? If you have any idea.
Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it.

[Jamchell]

Yes the diff can be rebuilt, but I would first get a quote and compare that price to swapping a used trans in. If you have a stethoscope you might try listening with it, should be pretty evident where the sound is coming from.

[jordisonjr]

A stethoscope? Like... the one doctors use? haha. Im pretty sure its the diff though cause it was we were right under ti and i was pretty sure thats hat it was coming from, but idk what would have been making the noise inside there, do you have any idea?

[jordisonjr]

So I took it back to the original mechainc that did my wheel bearings, and he ripped it apart and said that it was a faulty wheel bearing, not the diff or anything like that. So he changed my wheel bearing and I got my ride back and everything rides smooth again I guesss it was so bad that the vibration echoed up the axle causing it to sound like it was teh transmission..