My tranny whines

[rob-the-oil-nut]

My transmission whines. The transmission that came from the factory is in my garage, they said it's toast after the wrong axle popped out. Long story. The one that aids in my daily commute is out of a wreck, I have no idea its age, miles, etc. UOA has come back OK so far on the transmission (5 speed manual) and the whine I had just gotten used to was noticed by a dearlership mechanic. What causes the whine? Synthetic fluid linked at all? What cures whine? I've lived with the noise since August 2002 and this transmission was not significantly different than the origional one, I can live with it, but I thought I'd ask.
Thanks!

 

[Mike_dup1]

You make no mention of the year/make/model but I have driven many 4.5 and now a 6 speed trans. My 2002 TA WS6 with the 6sp whines in 6th gear (OD). Its still running the OEM ATF but that will change today to synthetic. We'll see if the whine goes away, but I am not holding my breath.

The whine is usually cause by the gear meshing.

Ever hear of a Muncie M22 4sp rock crusher that was use in the GM muscle cars back in the late 60's, early 70's. It got the name "rock crusher" because of the noise is made due the the way the gears were cut.

 

[TheLoneRanger]

I agree, the whine is probably gear noise rather than from a bearing, and it's irritating but harmless. It's probably caused by a poor break-in process, or mis-matched tolerances at the factory.

I don't think it'll get better. But, you can insulate the noise. Try experimenting with different type fluids (factory spec), and make sure the transmission is full.

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike:
You make no mention of the year/make/model

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1993 Hyundai Elantra, 5 speed manual (no tach)
Oct of 2001 the axle was replaced below cost, that made me happy. Mitsu engine & transmission, thus someone ASSUMED it was a Mitsu axle. Wrong. a few months later it popped out (on highway driving in which I had gone into neutral to slow for a red light around a very slight left bend) Dealership said it was toast, gave me the old one back and installed a used one out of a wreck, I have no idea the miles on it or even the year. Ordered RedLine for the transmission, dealership put that in too (again not seeing the axle problem) and it happened again in August, under 1 mile from my home. It just occurred to me that that time too, I was coasting toward a red light after a very mild left turn....

but yes, I have been told that coasting in neutral is bad, I still don't see how and all this aggravation still does not make me downshift more than maybe 25% of the time.
So anyhow, dealership mechanic said that they don't just grow wrecks out back, I would need a new transmission, were it not for RedLine. So, yes, I'm pretty happy with that brand. More on that has already been posted on a different thread.
Later!

 

[hannaco]

Which Redline fluid? MTL, Shockproof, or MT-90?

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

50 / 50 mix of MTL and MT-90, as recommended by Dave at RedLine. Possibly with an ounce or two of Militec, I can't remember. But I'm curious as to why you ask though.
Have a great day

 

[hannaco]

I had a whine when I used MTL. It was just a little bit too light. The whine went away after switching to MT-90. Maybe what is needed is more like a 75/25 mix or streight MT-90.
Some of the local guys have had good luck with the Shockproof lightweight in their modded vehicles.

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

quote:

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Originally posted by hannaco:
I had a whine when I used MTL. It was just a little bit too light.

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Hmmm, after my next sample is taken out I'll have them top it up with straight MT90.
Does whine mean friction? Wear? Shorter life?
I suppose I need it a bit light since a few days out of the year it gets to colder than -30.
Thanks!

 

[Ray H]

quote:

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Originally posted by rob-the-oil-nut:
Does whine mean friction? Wear? Shorter life?

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If the whine is due to a gear mesh anomaly, no, no, and, no. If the whine varies in intensity according to whether the car's under load (silent) or more or less coasting (whine most noticeable), it's probably gear mesh related. (Just hope you don't have a damaged or worn front wheel, or output shaft, bearing - but that would probably be a constant noise.) There's a procedure in which the pinion and ring gear's mesh pattern can be examined by applying an adhering greasy dye and rotating the meshing pinion and ring gears. Doing this on a front wheel drive car would be a nightmare since disassembly of the transaxle would have to be undertaken. Factory charts indicate the proper mesh pattern, and reshimming the pinion, if allowable, -might- elliminate or reduce the whine. But if the transmission's whined for more than 1,000 miles, the whine's probably permanent regardless what you try. My dad bought a new 1960 Dodge and that car's rear end "sang" for 10 years and 175,000 miles. Dad had that car back to the dealer several times for shimming adjustments, but none of it helped. Chrysler refused authorizing a warranty replacement and dad felt powerless against corporate intransigence.

 

[Mike_dup1]

I changed my 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 T56 6-sp to Amsoil Synthetic ATF from the factory Dexron III. No difference, still the same whine. But it does shift smoother. I talked to a trans expert here and he tells me a whine is there because of the gears. Changing fluid will not help much, if any it its only masking the noise. The cause is still there. He also says a whine is not necessarily detrimental, it the gears messing. Everyone I know with a T56 says the whine is common in 5 and 6 gears.