Noisy Transaxle

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:19 pm

I have a 5-rib bus trans that whines. It even whines parked in neutral with the clutch out but quiets when the clutch is depressed.
I have driven it this way for a year and a half now and it seems no worse than ever. I`ll have it out soon and was wondering if there is anything I can do for it at that time. Thanks. Bob

kcr · Post by **kcr** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:56 am

I would check the t/o bearing and pilot bearing.If those are good maybe the mainshaft bearing in the case.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:27 pm

Its not the TOB or pilot bearing. There is resultant gear noise when in motion. The t-4 pilot bearing does not squeel like the one in a T-1.
The trans is noisy when the car is moving. I mentioned the neutral characteristic because I thought it was a pecularity that would offset the symptom from the typical noisy gear whine. Cheers. Bob

Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:32 pm

Bob Ingman wrote:...The t-4 pilot bearing does not squeel like the one in a T-1....

Sez who? If anything, Type IVs have more of a problem with this than Type I.
It's moot though, you say the noise goes away when the clutch is depressed so that rules out the pilot bearing anyway.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=81626 (last 5 or 6 posts).

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:29 pm

What I was saying is that it is not the same noise as dry needle bearings on the T-1 pilot bearing. The brass produces a different tone.
Somewhere I was told that it could be carrier bearings. Does this sound logical?
I have a 3-rib from a 73 T-4 van. Can I use its parts to fix it and retain the 4.86 R&P ratio? Thanks. Bob

Post by **Marc** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:41 am

If it makes the noise when stationary, differential carrier bearings or pinion bearing would be the last things on the list. The mainshaft and Reverse idler shaft are the only things moving.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:52 pm

Yes it does Marc. Just sitting there at idle in neutral it is very noisy then goes away when clutch is depressed. Carrier and or pinion bearings huh? are those interchangable with a three rib since both ate 02 bus units? How much disassembly is required to R&R these parts? Thanks. Bob

Post by **Marc** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:55 am

Let me rephrase that, you apparently read it too fast.
Carrier & pinion bearings are NOT responsible for a noise when stationary.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:44 am

Ya I`m dyslexic and I get things mixed up too. So if main shaft bearings are the likely cause i would expect complete diaassembly by a builder to be needed. Sound correct? Probably by the time hes finished finding little problems it would ad up to toast or big $$$ rebuild. Just have to drive it as is I guess. Or is this something a beginner can do? Thanks Marc.

Post by **Marc** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:04 am

The mainshaft bearing can normally be replaced without tearing into the trans, provided you can get the old one off. The last time I planned to do this I could only find one shop in town who had the puller and they didn't know how to use it/wouldn't let me use it; I ended up tearing the whole trans apart and found that the pinion bearing was also starting to go so in that particular case it was just as well that I hadn't invested the money to replace the mainshaft bearing only, but most of the time it it's worth it.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=76864

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:51 pm

A lot of slop in that big fat ball bearing on the mainshaft will cause this rumble while in neutral (I think this may be the one you are referring to Mar?) Ray

Chubb Tubb · Post by **Chubb Tubb** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:54 pm

will stp make it quiet chubb

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:05 am

Hey Bob, Kevin here.
I suggest calling Ken at German Transaxle in Bend OR and tell him whats going on with the trans. He can give you a pretty good idea of what exactly is the problem and a reasonable quote to fix it.
They do our race trans for the 1499 race car. A basic rebuild is something like $280 + whatever parts are needed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:43 pm

Kevin , Bob here. Its the one you bought for me from JD. It may have been good but I ran it without checking fluid level(around the block). Thats been a yr or two and no problems other than the noise. I have a good six rib to put in and was just wondering if I should attempt to salvege the five rib. Thanks. Bob Ingman who can`t remember his password to log in correctly