My daily driver Civic si has started to make a noise that I think is from the transaxle. It's kind of like the sound a ratchet makes when ratcheting. Since it only does it in all the underdrive gears, I'm thinking it might be a countershaft bearing. Anybody else ever experience this?
Also, assuming it is the transaxle, I will be looking to buy another one so I can just swap them out and not have my car down any longer than neccessary. If you know where I can find one (other than a junk yard) let me know here or email me at jdvogel@netzero.net.
Thanks
Jim

 

does it make the noise in 1st gear on accel or decel?

if might be that your differential bearing is shot which is leading to your differential rubbing your tranny case as well as your countershaft bearing housing.

 

It makes noise in all underdrive gears under acceleration. No noise in 4th or 5th.

 

i'm not familiar with the term "underdrive gears". can you explain?

 

Underdrive gears are those that have a gear ratio that makes the engine spin faster than the trans output. In this case that would be 1,2 and 3rd gears. The reason this is significant is that these are the gears that load the countershaft. When in 4th, the main shaft is locked so the input and output are spinning the same RPM. Underdrive gears are basically the opposite of overdrive gears.
Because of this, I'm thinking my problem may be a countershaft bearing or another problem with the countershaft.
So anyway, the trans makes this noise in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but not in 4th, and I'm not sure about 5th because by then I'm going fast enough that it would be hard to hear.


[Modified by Bravenrace, 10:57 AM 3/7/2003]


[Modified by Bravenrace, 11:38 AM 3/7/2003]

 

it could be the countshaft bearing but it could also be the diff rubbing. i know the diff rubbed on my tranny and the noise was awful sounding.

 

Just get an Si gearbox (~$150-250). It makes not sense to crack open the case unless you plan gearing changes. The rebuild costs are much higher than the swap out costs.

 

You know where I can get a good one for that price? Because I have had no luck finding one. Either way, I'm going to rebuild this one, as I can get the parts pretty cheap. Seriously, let me know if you know where I can get a good used unit.

Jim

 

If you plan on doing the rebuild anyway why not suck it up and go with a DX tranny. Though the gearing is not as good it would at least keep you on the road. Just a thought.

 

I have gotten two from Japan Direct at:

http://www.usedengines.com/home.asp

Ask for Jeremy or Johnny and say Tom Rummage sent you.