Hey all:

 

Haven't been on the forum in a while. I've searched but haven't found much to confirm what I suspect to be the problem.

 

My friend has a 99 forester with a 5speed manual transmission. I suspect one of the main bearings is toast in the transmission but would be open to hearing other persectives.

 

The car sounds fine while idling. With the car in neutral I can hear a small amount of whine. Push in the clutch and it goes away. Goes into all gears with ease. When you release the clutch pedal in forward gears the whine is bad and almost sound like completely worn brake pads scraping against a rotor. It only makes the noise when torque is applied to the transmission (ie-get off the gas and noise goes away while coasting in gear). It doesn't make the noise in reverse that I can tell. Any input appreciated.

 

The transmission fluid was replaced at the dealer two weeks ago (he didn't tell them about the noise :confused:and it has gotten worse since then). I suggested he dump out the fluid and replace with some high quality mt gear oil to see if anything changes and to expect to replace the trans with a good used one.

 

Any input appreciated.

 

Thanks USMB

 

ps- still loving my ej brat, but it may go for sale at the end of the summer.

 

Daniel

Does it change if you put mild pressure on the clutch pedal? Just enough to depress it, but not quite disengage the clutch. If that makes it go away or worsen then it could be the release bearing, but the way you describe it I don't think that's it.

 

Unfortunately, the only way to tell for sure which bearing it might be is to tear down the transmission and look. It's definitely one of the main shaft bearings if it's inside the trans and not the TOB. Replacement of the front bearing is pretty simple, the rear bearing requires an assortment of pullers and or a press, and some wood blocks in a vice to hold the shaft while you loosen/tighten the stake nut on the end.

 

There are a few threads here on the board dealing with disassembly of the transmission if you choose to go the rebuild route.

EJ 5 speed's are known for this - the rear main shaft bearing is toast. I've seen it a number of times now.

 

Time to start looking for a replacement transmission or tear it down and replace all the bearings if you are skilled.

 

I'm surprised (well - ok I'm actually not) that the dealer didn't mention a bunch of metal in the gear oil. One of the problems with lube tech's and car lifts is that they usually drain fluids into those rolling drain bucket/funnel things and you can't see the old oil. Big mistake in my opinion. A clean, white pan (cut off bottom of a 5 gal paint bucket) is a much more effective recepticle.

 

GD

Edited June 29, 201015 yr by GeneralDisorder

This is what I told my friend. They had it on a lift and some new guy drained the oil into a recepticle above his head! Classic. I'll pass on the info and tell him to buy a used transmission. Thanks for the help folks. USMB rocks.

 

Daniel