Transmission noise

[TPR1930]

I would appreciate thoughts on the noise I hear coming from my transmission. For background, my car was restored about 30 years ago, and I don’t know if there was ever an engine or transmission rebuild. I have owned it for the last 5 years, and this noise has always been present for me. The car runs very well. I would describe the sound as a jangling, rattle that happens only between 30 and 35 m.p.h. This is during all states of operation, i.e. acceleration, cruising, slow-down, incline, decline and on level road. At all other speeds (I don’t really drive above 45 m.p.h.), it is silent. When I push in the clutch, the noise will disappear. The speedometer works, and I have lubricated its cable; I’ve greased the through-out bearing; I’ve flushed the transmission and filled it with the proper fluid. As an aside, I always feel a slight vibration in the shifting tower when moving, and note that these vibrations are in-sync with my noise when it is happening.

 

[Pat/Ohio]

When I first adopted my '30 Town Sedan, I noticed a rather loud annoying drivetrain noise coming from around the transmission also. It had been restored many years ago and sat for 5 years or so before I acquired it. The noise started at around 30 mph and up. With mine the noised persisted even with the clutch in. I lubed everything I could find and pumped a lot of John Deere cornhead grease into the universal joint (clam shell). I don't notice any noise now. If you haven't lubed your universal joint in a while...you might try that.

Stay Safe!
Pat

 

[Mulletwagon]

Yep, U-Joint would be the primary suspect to investigate first. Since they are a hassle to change (must pull the rear axle) they are often past their service life. Finding a quality replacement unit can be challenging.

 

[TPR1930]

When I first adopted my '30 Town Sedan, I noticed a rather loud annoying drivetrain noise coming from around the transmission also. It had been restored many years ago and sat for 5 years or so before I acquired it. The noise started at around 30 mph and up. With mine the noised persisted even with the clutch in. I lubed everything I could find and pumped a lot of John Deere cornhead grease into the universal joint (clam shell). I don't notice any noise now. If you haven't lubed your universal joint in a while...you might try that.

Stay Safe!
Pat

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I filled the clam shell with a whole 14 oz. tube of Cornhead grease, clearly it needed it (so glad I did.) Just had the car out for two hours, and find that the noise is still audible between 30 - 35 m.p.h. I'll keep on top of it and try to be prepared for anything.

 

[Werner]

Do you also feel vibrations?

Is that noise also in neutral gear if you gradually increase the rpm? Maybe an imbalance in the clutch basket?

 

[Pat/Ohio]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I filled the clam shell with a whole 14 oz. tube of Cornhead grease, clearly it needed it (so glad I did.) Just had the car out for two hours, and find that the noise is still audible between 30 - 35 m.p.h. I'll keep on top of it and try to be prepared for anything.

I should also mention that after I pumped about 1 tube of cornhead grease, my car also still made the driveline noise. It wasn't until the car sat for the winter that the noise went away. I am thinking it takes a little time for the cornhead grease to settle into the "nooks & crannys" of the universal joint. Good Luck!

Pat