4th and 5th gear, loud whining/buzzing noise

[ChiefZuki]

What's up everyone I tried posting this in my first thread but it was probably mislooked I have a 1986 suzuki samurai, stock 1.3. The transmission is very noisy in higher gears. I am almost positive it isn't the transfer case, but if I'm wrong please tell me. As far as I know from what I can hear, in 4th gear it starts making a whining noise. It will only make noise during acceleration, with no throttle it is quiet riding in gear. The same for 5th gear but louder. It buzzes and whines and it's pretty loud. It will slightly smooth put past 50mph. If I slowly let of throttle, it slightly makes a short high pitched grinding noise as the throw out lets off, then rides quiet but theres also a high pitched whining/buzzing noise during deceleration and it isn't too loud. Only in 5th gear tho. But my questions are what's goin on exactly? What noises are normal, and what parts I'm going to have to replace if I were to rebuild it myself. I know that might be a long shot with the given information. I plan on flushing/replacing the tranny fluid and checking for metal debris. Any questions to help diagnose shoot away! I would love to get this taken care of asap thanks

[ChiefZuki]

Help anybody??? I just want to know if the bearings in the transmission is what is causing this? I have heard sometimes it can be a u-joint but it sounds to me like th transmission. The noise starts in 3rd gear sometimes, and gets louder in 4th Nd 5th. It is a whining noise similar to the noise blown axle bearings make. That's what makes me think its a bearing. Just want to know if there is any way to diagnose what parts of the transmission are good or not without taking it apart. I just want to make sure that I know the problem so I can buy all the necessary parts. Any help is greatly appreciated

[Mikeww]

Have you checked or changed the grease yet? Not enough or worn out grease will cause lots of strange noises and ware parts out verry quickly.

[ChiefZuki]

Originally Posted by Mikeww

Have you checked or changed the grease yet? Not enough or worn out grease will cause lots of strange noises and ware parts out verry quickly.

I have been a little busy so I haven't been able to but I plan on checking/replacing the fluid today. Ill let you know if there's any metal debris in the fluid thanks

[River_Zuk]

Did you ever find out whats going on with this chief? I picked up a samurai just the other day and have found myself experiencing the same exact situation.

[fordem]

Diagnosing noises, especially drive train noises, at a distance can be near impossible - see if you can find someone with a "chassis ear" that you can rent or borrow - it's a set of microphones that you attach to the various parts of the chassis, and then you can listen to each mike and narrow down the source.

The best I can do at a distance is suggest that the transmission is not the source - bad transmission bearings have a tendency to be noisy in the lower gears, and least noisy in fourth - this is due to the design of the transmission, fourth gear is a direct 1:1 ratio in which both ends of the shaft are supported. I suspect you're getting the noise in fourth & fifth because it occurs at a particular road speed, and you can only reach that speed in the higher gears.

[ChiefZuki]

Originally Posted by fordem

Diagnosing noises, especially drive train noises, at a distance can be near impossible - see if you can find someone with a "chassis ear" that you can rent or borrow - it's a set of microphones that you attach to the various parts of the chassis, and then you can listen to each mike and narrow down the source.

The best I can do at a distance is suggest that the transmission is not the source - bad transmission bearings have a tendency to be noisy in the lower gears, and least noisy in fourth - this is due to the design of the transmission, fourth gear is a direct 1:1 ratio in which both ends of the shaft are supported. I suspect you're getting the noise in fourth & fifth because it occurs at a particular road speed, and you can only reach that speed in the higher gears.

I would have to say you're correct. I can try to get my hands on the chassis ear you were talking about. But yes, the noise only starts at around 35-40 mph, sometimes 3rd gear, 4th and 5th are the only times it is at it's loudest. What made me think it was the transmission is that it will only whine while I give it throttle in gear. Would you happen to know what are any, if not all moving parts that are connected to the tranny in gear?? Could be helpful in the process of diagnosing what's going on. Thanks

[fordem]

35~40 mph and only when under power, I would suspect the rear end - have you changed the oil recently? What did the old lube look like?

[ChiefZuki]

Originally Posted by fordem

35~40 mph and only when under power, I would suspect the rear end - have you changed the oil recently? What did the old lube look like?

I haven't changed the rear axle gear oil although I'm certain it isn't coming from the axle. It makes this noise past 35-40, not just at that speed. It gets progressively louder through the gear changes as well. It only makes the noise while its in gear, and while I'm giving it throttle accelerating. The noise is coming from either the backside of the motor like near the flywheel and the transmission. For some moments at higher speeds it can even sounds like the noise is kind of coming from the tcase, but I am positive it is mostly near under the shifter/under the dash area. Could this be the flywheel or u-joints? I know I need to check the fluids but money is tight for me at the moment and it's my daily driver. I would like to diagnose the problem without physically taking out the transmission, unless needed for repair. I would also like to have this somewhat figured out before I go buy a part I don't need, or vice versa.. I guess my question would be what parts are moving during acceleration while you are in gear? And could a possibility of this noise be a clutch bearing, pilot synchro, pilot bearing?? Just throwing things out there.. Anything helps thanks

[fordem]

The flywheel is a solid steel disc, it's unlikely to be making any noise at all - clutch release & pilot shaft bearings will only make noise when the clutch is depressed, although in some cases if the clutch is incorrectly adjusted, the release bearing may be in contact with the clutch when it should not, and will make noise when it would not normally.

The location you describe suggests transmission, but the point at which you report the noise - specifically 4th gear - suggests otherwise. In most cases a transmission with worn bearings will make noise in the lower gears, and in my experience, more likely on the over run, than when under power.

Have you at least checked the lube levels in the transmission, transfer case & differentials - evenn if you don't change the oil at least top them up, you could save yourself quite a bit of cash in the long term.