quote Originally posted by Blacktree: For example, I can't coast in 1st or 2nd gear, because the car will start to lurch, thanks to the slop in the gears. To keep the car from lurching, I have to keep the tranny gears loaded, either by accelerating or decelerating. .

I like the idea of some tests of some sort. I suppose the lurch could happen due to motor mounts as well.

Does anyone know if the noise goes away with slight pressure on the clutch pedal? Not fully released, just some light pressure on the pedal.

Or does the clutch have to be fully released (pedal to the floor) to make the noise stop?

On mine, the rattle stops with light pressure on the clutch pedal (maybe an inch or two of travel).

quote 2.5 said: I suppose the lurch could happen due to motor mounts as well.

That was my first impression, too. But my Fiero has new motor & tranny mounts, plus a Rodney Dickman adjustable dogbone. And I installed a springless clutch disc, to rule out the clutch. If I listen closely, I can actually hear the gear noise as the car lurches back and forth at low speed.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-06-2011).]

quote Originally posted by 1fatcat: Does anyone know if the noise goes away with slight pressure on the clutch pedal? Not fully released, just some light pressure on the pedal. Or does the clutch have to be fully released (pedal to the floor) to make the noise stop?

When mine rattles it takes just a light pressure to stop it. Somtimes, if I let the pressure of easy, it won't rattle with the cluch all the way out.

[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 05-06-2011).]

So is the noise definately in the trans, or might it be a throwout bearing, clutch spline rattle, even an engine thrust bearing? I just don't understand how it's been determined that the noise is coming from the trans, because if light clutch pedal pressure makes it go away, that means the input shaft is still spinning along with all the gears and stuff.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: But the transmission has noticeable gear lash. For example, I can't coast in 1st or 2nd gear, because the car will start to lurch, thanks to the slop in the gears.

Engine Mounts

If the gears were that worn, you'd have other problems.

Gears need to "loss" their hardened outer surface in order to wear. Once that hardened surface is worn through, the rest of the gear goes fast. It won't make it long at all once the wear exceedes a few thousandths of an inch. At the rotational speed of the gears, you would not be able to feel that little bit of wear in the seat of your pants.

[This message has been edited by 1fatcat (edited 05-07-2011).]

quote Originally posted by 2.5: New TO bearings don't fix this problem, multiple people have replaced it in their getrags along with other parts and it just comes back. http://www.3si.org/forum/f3...getrag-noisy-251154/

if the noise initially goes away after changing to a new TO bearing, but later comes back, then it IS the throwout bearing. perhaps everybody is just buying the same crappy cheap bearings?>

[This message has been edited by stickpony (edited 05-07-2011).]

Here's a thought on the T/O bearing. Can someone experiencing the problem try something? Get your car to start rattling, then safely park it on level ground and set the park brake, or block the tires. Then open the engine lid and try to manipulate the clutch release lever toward and away from the slave cylinder with hand pressure. Tell the results.