I just purchased a 5-spd 98 Civic EX Coupe with 95k on it to use as my daily driver. I have owned a couple Hondas before and generally had good luck with them. Unfortunately with this one I am having a problem with a rattling noise coming from the transmission at low speeds in 1st and 2nd. I can also feel a virbation in the shifter. When I shift from 2nd to 3rd at low speeds, I can also feel this vibration and hear a the rattling noise. When I shift from 2nd to 3rd at redline there is no noise and the shift is smooth. Any idea what this might be? I would like to know what I am getting into before I bring it somewhere to have it fixed or attempt to fix it myself.

 

The bearings inside - particulary the ISB and maybe the mainshaft bearing - are probably taking a dive. When idling, with the clutch engaged, is there any noise? When idling, with the clutch dis-engaged, is there any noise?

I hate to say it, but it seems to be a growing trend especially on higher mileage units.

Its an easy fix, especially with a second set of hands. It took me and the old man about 1hr to seperate the tranny, replace the needed bearings and get it all back together. Bearings cost around ~$20/each.

I fixed my Y7 tranny about 20k miles ago and its holding fine thus far. There was a ton of metal shavings on the magnet so I wasn't really sure how long this fix would last thinking that if the metal shaving were there, then they're probably floating around the gears/synchros as well - but its holding.

 

Thanks for the reply Chris. To answer your question, there is no noise when idling, clutch engaged or disengaged, which seems kind of odd. The noise is only when driving at low speeds in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, and particularly during a low speed 2-3 shift.

 

I just drove the car again and this time I heard the rattling in neutral. It almost sounded like an exhaust heat shield rattle, but I could feel the vibration in the shifter. How close does the shift linkage run to the exhaust? Could this be what is causing my problem?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bob98EXCoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just drove the car again and this time I heard the rattling in neutral. It almost sounded like an exhaust heat shield rattle, but I could feel the vibration in the shifter. How close does the shift linkage run to the exhaust? Could this be what is causing my problem?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The shifter runs above and to one side of the exhuast. It shouldn't touch, but just check.

 

i have excatly the same problem on my 93 civic ex, and i bought a new transmission, just didnt put it up yet, anybody wanna buy my old transmission with the same problem?

 

i have the same problem, its the bearings, i need to replace my cluth since mine is so bad

 

There is a heat shield right under or near the shift rod/link, I forgot, but i'm sure there is a sheild under there(above the cat).

 

I would check the heat shield. I have seen that broken before and I have also seen the transmission bearing go bad too.

 

Well it ended up being that the exhaust the previous owner had installed was rubbing on the shift linkage. I guess I got lucky. I had Meineke fix the problem for me for $20. The tranny shifts smooth now and seems to be in good health. Thanks for the input everyone!