• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Please guys..begging for help...weird noise

  • Thread starter Thread starter American_Muscle
  • Start date Start date Dec 7, 2006
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 7, 2006
#1
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #1
Hey guys

I've been posting a lot lately about this weird rattling or ticking sound that my 01 gt is making.

It sounds like it's coming directly from the tranny but I just took it for another ride.
Very weird!!

It sounds like it is hinges on rpm and how much gas I give it(throttle)

At high speeds when the rpm gauge is above about 2k the rattling sound only happens when a certain amount of throttle is given. A bit below 1/2 throttle and anything above and I don't hear anything.
But as soon as I hit a certain amount of throttle you can hear.

At about 1.5k rpm and below you can hear it all the time....even when no gas is given...just winding down the rpms.
At idle you can hear it too.

It sounds almost as if a cable keeps hitting against something or like cards that you stick in the spokes of a bicycle.(a bit more metalic)

Could the throttle cable be hitting against something?
But why would it sound like it's coming from the tranny?And why would it do it at idle?

I had no power loss, no problems switching gears, no overheating etc.
Nothing...just that rattling/ticking sound.

That sound is also "faster"(more ticks more second) at higher rpms.

The throwout bearing was really loose/worn....so i thought that would cure it after I replaced it..but the sound is still there.
I also replaced 2 lifters that appeared shot and checked all the spark plugs.
One was loose but after tightening it that rattling didn't go away.
I took off the x-pipe and tightened it back down after I bolted the tranny back up so it can't be an exhaust leak.
Altough the gaskets looked really worn. Doesn't sound like it's coming from there though.

Please help guys...I'm at a loss.

Patrick
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Dec 7, 2006
#2
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #2
Does it happen when the car is in nuetral?
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 7, 2006
#3
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #3
Yes it does.

When sitting at idle and I ease of the clutch like when you just want the car to roll a bit and the rpm dips down a bit the noise goes away and as soon as I push in the clutch again and the engine surges a bit the rattling gets a little louder and then settles down to a slow and steady tapping.
When I push in the clutch at high speeds where the rpm is at, let's say,3 or 4k and I push in the clutch and the rpm goes back down to 1k you can heard it again.

I've tried playing with the clutch when the car is idling and at a stand-still....nothing changes.
 

Jsun3701

New Member
Dec 10, 2004
124
0
0
Virginia
Dec 7, 2006
#4
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #4
Bad pulley?
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 7, 2006
#5
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #5
But like I said..when you're underneath the car...the noise is so loud and sounds like it's coming from right inside the tranny.

Can't imagine it being a pulley. But I dunno....

Thanks for the help!
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Dec 7, 2006
#6
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #6
American_Muscle said:
Yes it does.

When sitting at idle and I ease of the clutch like when you just want the car to roll a bit and the rpm dips down a bit the noise goes away and as soon as I push in the clutch again and the engine surges a bit the rattling gets a little louder and then settles down to a slow and steady tapping.
When I push in the clutch at high speeds where the rpm is at, let's say,3 or 4k and I push in the clutch and the rpm goes back down to 1k you can heard it again.

I've tried playing with the clutch when the car is idling and at a stand-still....nothing changes.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to follow you here, does it do it regardless of whether or not the clutch is in or not? When you are under the car try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from using a wrench or screw driver, but putting one end to your ear, and one end to where you think the noise is coming from. If it is definately coming from inside the bellhousing you will probably have to pull the tranny to see what is going on. It may be something with the clutch itself. It is hard to tell without hearing it in person.
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 7, 2006
#7
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #7
Yes at idle it does it regardless...with clutch in or out.

But when I'm driving it makes the noise when I push in the clutch because it does it at lower rpms. Don't think it's directly related to the clutch.

We had the tranny out and checked out the clutch and flywheel. Looked ok.

We used a stethoscope (sp?) and it sounded like it was coming from inside the tranny.

But these symptoms don't add up.
Are there any cables that run right by the tranny(throttle cable?)?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Dec 7, 2006
#8
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #8
American_Muscle said:
Yes at idle it does it regardless...with clutch in or out.

But when I'm driving it makes the noise when I push in the clutch because it does it at lower rpms. Don't think it's directly related to the clutch.

We had the tranny out and checked out the clutch and flywheel. Looked ok.

We used a stethoscope (sp?) and it sounded like it was coming from inside the tranny.

But these symptoms don't add up.
Are there any cables that run right by the tranny(throttle cable?)?
Click to expand...

no, no cables I can think of. the throttle cable stays up in the engine bay, and the cruise control cable runs from the fender into the engine bay. Does it sound like it is coming from inside the gear box? Have you had any trouble shifting or getting it in gear?
 

Rynostangs69

New Member
Dec 4, 2006
6
0
0
Dayton OH
Dec 7, 2006
#9
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #9
Could it be a loose bolt... you said you had the tranny out, did you check the throwout bearing and shift fork... mine rattled on my 87 I had a while back...
 

ooraceredgt

New Member
Feb 28, 2003
204
0
0
Dec 7, 2006
#10
  • Dec 7, 2006
  • #10
i had something similar happen on my car. what it was the mufflers were barely touching the frame and it would rattle and it was very loud. maybe this will give you some help
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 8, 2006
#11
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #11
I really don't think it has anything to do with the exhaust.

Definitely sounded like it was coming from the tranny.
I put my ear right next to it and could hear it coming from the inside.

but the thing..and this answers your question jstreet:

i have no trouble whatsoever getting it in gear.

5th gear was doing a bit of grinding yesterday..but only on 1 or 2 shifts.

I haven't used 5th in over 2 months...so that might be it.
It was fine afterwards.

The car isn't putting an immense amount of power...dynoed at 360 rwhp.

I got on it hard a couple times.....the noise started happening after a 3rd gear pull to about 5k rpm.



I dug up a used T45 with about 50k miles.
Is it worth $600?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Dec 8, 2006
#12
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #12
You could probably rebuild it cheaper, if you think you can do it. Or you may just have a bent or broken shift fork, in which case you could just replace that. Sounds like the tranny needs to come out and apart either way.
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 8, 2006
#13
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #13
But wouldn't that cause the tranny to not shift properly?

Does a bent or broken shift make those noises that I described?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Dec 8, 2006
#14
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #14
American_Muscle said:
But wouldn't that cause the tranny to not shift properly?

Does a bent or broken shift make those noises that I described?
Click to expand...

It would if it were bent to where it war hitting something, or part of it broke off and was rattling around in there. Honestly it could be anything, but if you are certain it is coming from inside the tranny there it only one way to find out what it is, pull the tranny.
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
0
47
Clovis, CA
Dec 8, 2006
#15
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #15
Are you SURE this noise is coming from the tranny? I would do a compression test and leak down test. Very simple, fast tests...that can tell you a lot. I have a feeling this is more engine related, since you described one of the spark plugs being loose. A quick compression test will tell you how the pistons/rings/valves are doing.

I would rather do that then pull the tranny....
 

Rickey_Bobby

New Member
Nov 8, 2006
332
0
0
Sarasota, FL
Dec 8, 2006
#16
  • Dec 8, 2006
  • #16
I have the same problem. Sounds like a bag of marbles in the tranny. Try this tho, put the car in gear, then push the clutch in. This will make it impossible for the inputshaft, or any other part of the tranny, to rotate at all. Then raise and lower the RPM's to see if you still have the noise.

On my car I have no noise when doing the above. its only when the tranny is spinning that I get noise. (in neutral, clutch out) or (clutch in, but car moving) And if im by another car or a wall, the sound reflected off of that object is EXTREMELY loud. I also get the noise if I floor it when under 2K rpm. I do not get any noise above 2K rpm while driving. In neutral, the sound gets less noticable after 1500rpm, but I can still tell it is there till about 3K (after that the exhaust is too loud to tell)

BTW, my tranny is a TR-3650 with 20K miles.
I tried switching to Royal purple synchromesh, No noticable change. And didn't get rid of the notchyness either.

It is NOT my TOB.
Does this sound like your problem?
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 9, 2006
#17
  • Dec 9, 2006
  • #17
Well it doesn't really sound like a bag of marbles...but yeah other than that you pretty much described the noise my car is making.

So I put the car in gear while it's running without pushing in the clutch?
Then I push in the clutch after it's in gear?

Didn't really get that.
 
A

American_Muscle

New Member
May 9, 2005
189
0
0
Dec 9, 2006
#18
  • Dec 9, 2006
  • #18
Pretty sure it's the tranny.

We used a stethoscope and could hear the noise coming from the tranny.

I know my valve seals are going bad...because the car smokes a bit after startup but goes away after a while.


the98stang said:
Are you SURE this noise is coming from the tranny? I would do a compression test and leak down test. Very simple, fast tests...that can tell you a lot. I have a feeling this is more engine related, since you described one of the spark plugs being loose. A quick compression test will tell you how the pistons/rings/valves are doing.

I would rather do that then pull the tranny....
Click to expand...
 

BlueRuckus

New Member
Jun 30, 2005
204
1
0
Miami, FL
Dec 9, 2006
#19
  • Dec 9, 2006
  • #19
Do you have a Strut Tower Brace? If so, check the clearance between your intake tube and the brace.
Mine started to sound like that and I could have sworn it was coming from the tranny or back of the engine. Turns out that the CAI tube was hitting the Brace and transmitting the sound through the car.

Just my stab in the dark. Good luck!!
 

Rickey_Bobby

New Member
Nov 8, 2006
332
0
0
Sarasota, FL
Dec 10, 2006
#20
  • Dec 10, 2006
  • #20
I meant, put it in gear after the clutch is in.

Don't worry, I havn't mastered the whole shift first, clutch second move either.

Let me know if you find anything, cause I stopped checking mine out a while ago. My only preventitive maintence for it is crossing my fingers, and turning the radio up.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
431
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
15
Views
480
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Jun 28, 2026
joeybuddy96
J
J
Help Figuring Motor Choice(Possible future turbo)?
  • jaygee15
  • Dec 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
582
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 3, 2026
Jarhead67
J
H
Hanging idle issues
  • HydraX
  • Mar 22, 2025
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
5
Views
551
SVT Tech Forum Aug 4, 2025
squeak93
O
Need a hand: Hanging idle with all new parts
  • Overused03
  • May 15, 2024
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
1K
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech May 21, 2024
Overused03
O
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?