Weird Sounds From Transmission Area - Guess what Broke or is BREAKING

[Phoenix7]

Well, as more time passed I realized that WVUmtnbkr may be right.

The vibrations began on Monday. Slight vibration in the shifter at around 3500RPMS/40mph. It differed than the normal shifter vibrations especially when driving.

Yesterday the vibrations became more "violent" and could feel the whole car shaking at around 40mph and 3500rpms. Today the whole car shook at 65+MPH non-stop. I went to a local driveshaft shop and they want $350 and If I had said yes they "could have everything done by Tuesday."

I've already destroyed one transmission so I don't want the same thing to happen again. I bought the "aftermarket" serviceable DS from Mazdatrix. I ALMOST went with the Aluminum one but it seemed overkill on the NA. I should get the NEW DS tomorrow or Friday and i saved 50 bux over the local shop.

[Phoenix7]

Originally Posted by N.RotaryTech

Thought I'd add some drivetrain info from my experience.
Let me just start at the beginning.

My '89 GTU n/a, It had 145k miles on it when I got it, Nov '05.

A year later (Nov '06) the clutch started slipping in 5th, then 4th, and so on.
I got a $100 e-bay clutch kit, which Ive been warned about later on that those are std's for your drivetrain.

Almost a year after that (Sep '07) my driveshaft (front U-joint) went bad, luckily it didn't explode, just vibration and vibration noise. I replaced it with another used one.

Now (Aug '08) another driveshaft U-joint went bad. Over the weekend, I noticed the vibration & noise (that sounds familiar), thats when I knew it was the driveshaft.
Today Ive replaced it with another used one.

After driving around on it, (btw: no noises) Ive realized what all those noises Ive been hearing before are coming from, the driveshaft.

The noises:
When going forward from a stop, there is a loud "Tink" sound. This is like right after the clutch pedal is out (not pressed).

Some times I have some bucking issues at low rpms cause of the engine, anyway when that happens, I hear a "tinka tinka tinka tinka".

Another noise, when comming to a stop in slow driving, like in traffic or a parking lot, when pressing the clutch pedal, some times there is this horrible noise like "CH CH CH CHU CHU CHUG CHUG CHUG!!!!" maybe not that long.

And another, Im not sure how to describe it, its like a mix between a wering and a squealing or squeaking and maybe a chattering noise, high pitched and fast.
That happens on acceleration and deceleration.

So IMO every noise except that last one makes sense that they are cause by a bad driveshaft.

Even though I have a crappy e-bay clutch, Ive had no problems with it, no slipping or anything like that, and Ive been driving on it daily for near 2 years now.

As far as driveshafts go I need to find a place that can rebuild them, or buy a new one like mentioned above.
I'm going to try to invest in a good driveshaft, so when the one Ive got on there now, goes bad, I can finally replace it with one that will last for a few years or more.

funny how we both posted on the same subject minutes apart!!

I do believe you also are 100% right. Those sound descriptions seem to be similar to our problem!!

[N.RotaryTech]

Good for you that you got a new DS.
Im not in the...department to get a replacement like that...for now.
If ya know what I mean.

Its good that I have a donor car. (sigh)

[Phoenix7]

not good for me. I didn't want to spend the money since I'm still trying to get my TII ready for 7stock!

It needed to be replaced before I did this again though, I shouldn't complain:

[Phoenix7]

UGH, I just got an email saying that my DS has been picked up by UPS.

Only Problem is that it's being shipped to JOSE. I spelled out my name to the guy on the phone multiple times: HASSELL. He even said: "Oh, I butchered your name" but it was OK because I spelled it out for him 3 times!

Apparently it wasn't enough. Now I have to figure out HOW to get my item. My only hope is that the UPS lady that knows me is working tomorrow or Fri. (whenever the DS arrives).

[Phoenix7]

Well,
I called UPS and had them put it on WILL CALL so I could pick it up in the AM but they said NO. I asked to schedule a specific delivery time, they said NO. I'm irritated but it's ok. I need the damn thing ASAP.

Thank GOD that people are too dumb to do their job right. The UPS guy didn't even ask for ID or signature. Just handed it to me. BTW: I STAYED HOME ALL DAY BECAUSE THE UPS SITE SAID THE DS WAS EN ROUTE AS OF 4AM AND THE BASTARDS SHOWED UP AT 5:20PM.

I rush (slowly so the u-joint doesn't snap) to a local shop and they didn't want to install it. They said they were closing in 30 minutes and they didn't want to help me. So, I missed a whole day of work waiting for the part, and the installers didn't want to do it. Now I'm at work catching up with all my work and I'm fucking pissed.

Now I have to go jack the car up and do it myself

[TehMonkay]

O_o

You can change a DS out in 30 minutes no problem.

[Phoenix7]

Especially with a lift and air tools! These bastards just didn't want to. I went to them once before for a sway bar link and I left because they wanted 150 bux to torque it on!!!

I went because they were the only ones open over here by work (I HAD to come and take care of the time-sensitive stuff).

I'll hopefully get it taken care of tonight or tomorrow AM. Gotta keep driving carefully.

[Boostmaniac]

Good luck man, hope this fixes it.

[Phoenix7]

thanks, looks like it did. I'll follow up in a bit.

[Phoenix7]

Ok, it's been driven on and off for the past 12 hours and all the problems are gone.

No noises at low RPMS in any gear, no more clicking, and no more vibrations. I still have mild transmission noise but I believe it's normal considering it's a franken-tranny I put together.

Oil Change monday and it should feel like a nice healthy car. Proper maintenance and care will pay off. 210K miles and counting.

[Phoenix7]

there we go.

Hope this helps someone in the future. Thanks to all ou who helped me. I appreciate it!