Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Hey all,

So I had to swap out my shift cables today because one of them decided to kink. But anyway... I had all the center console stuff out of the car, and this noise ive been noticing was a lot louder, I believe its just because the center console and all the carpet pieces were muffling it.

The noise could be described as a bandsaw type noise, a spinning, metallic whirring noise. This happens when the car is moving, whether or not it is in gear, whether or not I have the clutch pushed in or out. It doesn't vary with engine speed.

So i'm thinking its my transfer case. I had a dealer look at it for the recall, they told me all I needed was a drain and fill plug, but i'm positive they didnt do any serious diagnosis, just looked at it and saw it was leaking. At that point I didnt bring the noise to their attention because it wasnt that loud. Now it seems pretty bad.

Is this indeed transfer case noise? Anyone have this sort of noise before?


Info on the car: 15k miles on a rebuilt tranny, and has a lower mileage JDM 6 bolt engine swap. Transfer case I believe to be original.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

and actually, now that I think about it, maybe the noise wasnt just muffled. I just leave this a bit more open. Could this be in relation to the adjustment of my new shift cables? Should I tighten/loosen them? Could being too tight/loose cause transmission noise? For safety's sake i'm gonna leave her parked today.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Transmission cables have nothing to do with tranny or xfer case noise. Adjust them according to whatever tech manual you're using, it's very simple. It could very well be your xfer case. See if it's due for a recall.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

well, i was just thinking that if the cable wasnt allowing the car to get all the way into gear (even though it seems its all the way) that it would cause noise. Or if the cables are pushing too hard on the levers. Hell, I dont know. Just asking. I'm paranoid.

As I mentioned in my post, I had the dealer look at it, but I dont think they did a serious enough diagnosis. I'm going to take it back for a better inspection.

Basically all I'm asking, is based on when/how this noise happens (while i'm moving no matter what gear or whether clutch is in or out) would this be the transfer case, or is it more likely to be the transmission?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

I'm thinking it wouldnt be the input shaft, because it isnt dependant on engine RPM, and it wouldnt be gears or synchros because it happens when its not in gear, so if it is a tranny problem its either output shaft, front differential, or center diff. I know not very much about the internal functioning of the transmission though.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

You can get a noise if the cables are not adj. right.
Joe

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

You should pull the transfer case and visually inspect it your self (or have someone else look at it) and take it to the dealership by itself. Explain to them as politely as possible you are aware of he recall, and would like to have a technician take a look at it. That would also be a good time to change the fluid, and fix that leak (assuming its not recall based). Oh and tis really easy to remove the transfer case. Take your downpipe off, and there are 5 bolts holding it on. You can then gently pry it away from the transmission. If you dont feel like working your arms, have a jack ready to "catch" the xfer case when you slide it off.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

There is no need to pull the downpipe.
Joe

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Explain.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Next time your driving your car pull on the shifter a little with the clutch out and in gear it will make noise.
Joe

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

ahhh, so maybe it does need adjustment.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Ive heard that dealerships sometimes give you trouble if you jsut walk in with the transfer case itself... have you personally done this?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Pulling on the shifter and having the cable misadjusted are two separate things. The only problems I've ever solved adjusting cables in mine or anyone else's cars have been problems with going into gear and grinding.

Steve

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

If the cable is tight on one side it will put pressure on the gear.
joe

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

any other experts wanna chime in? niterydr? Jet?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

I'm with Steve (goatblower) on this one, the cables would have to be awfully misadjusted for them to create noise within the gearbox. With cables that misadjusted it would be highly unlikely you could even get the car in gear. First and foremost, call the dealership with your VIN# to see if you car has had the Xfer recall performed yet. Have you checked the level/condition of the fluids in the tranny/xfer/diff?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Ive recently drained and refilled transfer case, within the last week (i sure hope it doesnt leak that fast) and the rear diff, which doesnt leak. I'm doing the tranny tonight.

I was thinking that, how would i even be able to shift, but honestly i'm really wondering about this...

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

haha bringing the transfer case to the dealership reminds me of that guy that got reallly pissed at the dealership. He got so upset at them that he threw the transfer case through the window of a brand new EVO.

just a story

Have you actually looked for a leak? or just refilled it?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

it doesnt leak out the yoke seal, thats already been replaced. However its been leaking some out the drain and fill plugs. It still is almost full of fluid.

but regardless of how much fluid is in it right at this moment, could it have been damaged through its life, however long thats been, to where it makes noise now?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

wheel bearings?

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

I have to agree with Steve as well. He said he was having the problem whether it was in gear or out. The only time a grossly mal-adjusted cable would cause that noise is when the tranny is in gear.

Wheel bearing could be a possibility. If you have the ability with enough jack stands to get all 4 tires off of the ground even just a little bit, you could rotate the wheels by hand and see where the noise is coming from. Could also be your inspection plate rubbing against you flywheel. It's a stretch, but possible. If the bolts came out of it, or it got dinged sometime it couold rub on the backside of the flywheel.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

ah, good point... but i'm pretty sure i know wheel bearing noise when i hear it. but thanks for the idea.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

The only other possibility besides the T-case I can think of is the carrier bearing on the driveshaft (which is a big possibility). If it is the T-case, just buy a new one. They can usually be had for ~$100.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

update.... so i realized the noise goes away in 2nd, 4th when i just pull back a little harder on the shifter... and after re-checking shift cable adjustment, it can only be the tranny. I was really scared that maybe it was low on fluid or something. Drained the fluid today, it had plenty, didnt look the best. I took the end cover off to see if the input shaft nut was loose (this was a rebuilt tranny, so i was suspicious). it wasn't loose. put it back together and tomorrow i'll refill it. Hoping new fluid will solve the problem.

I think i've elimiated the transfer case as being the culprit, unless someone still thinks otherwise, but that sure wouldnt explain why the noise goes away when I jiggle with the shifter.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

ok... another update. I drained and refilled the tranny with GM semi synthetic synchromesh.

Went for a test drive. Same noise, same volume.

Any other hints? Again, when i pull back on the shifter the noise almost completely goes away. Based on that I dont think it could be wheel bearings or transfer case. Car drives great, rolls smooth, shifts smooth.

If this is a tranny issue... any idea what would be wrong? Or am i just being paranoid, do AWD DSMS always make a lot of rolling noise?

THanks!

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

It sounds like a bad bearing in the tranny, but I haven't heard of one of the bearings on the shafts going bad before. You are probably going to have to tear it down to figure out exactly what it is. It is not as difficult as it first seems.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

B-E-A-utiful. Is it unsafe to drive arounda car with a bad bearing? Man, what luck I have had with dsms.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

One thing would be to make sure that the bolts that hold the cases together is tight. That will loosen up the bearing tolerances. Eventually the tranny may lock up if the bearing seizes, which will obviously be an issue. The longer it runs like that the worse it will get and it may do damage to other parts of the tranny.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

well, i recently took off the end cover to check the shaft bolts, which were tight. It didnt look like the tranny case was loose or coming apart...

Wait, lets step back here. The bearings on the shaft are spinning whether or not the car is in gear right? Because if they are, then it couldnt be that.. because when the car is running, but not moving it doesnt make the noise. I can rev the engine when i'm not moving and it doesnt make the noise.

gah, this makes no sense.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

Does it sound like something is binding? I have riden in a few DSMs, both 1g and 2g, and it always sounds like something is binding even though everything rolls/shifts fine.

Re: Noise when moving... transfer case?
 

hrm, whats the sound of something binding?