situational grinding noise

[McCuckerson]

Hello everybody,

First post here. I have a 2004 Corolla CE 5 spd, that I absolutely love. With a 60mi commute and crazy gas prices this car has both saved me money and headaches.

Recently, I have noticed a grinding noise coming from somewhere in the engine compartment. It sound like a bad bearing. The only problem is it only occurs with the clutch engaged and the transmission in gear. If I disengage the clutch or shift to neutral, then the noise goes away almost immediately. I was thinking it were a wheel bearing, but now I'm confused as it only happens in gear.

Please help!

[mikered30]

Synchros are a bit weak in the manual transmissions. Bearings and shafts are a known issue too, but mainly on the 03s. When was the last time the fluid was replaced and what type of fluid was used? 75W-90 GL4? Fluid level ok? Are you a lead foot or hard on the clutch? I suspect it is a bad bearing in the tranny.

[invader]

It does sound like the transmission's input bearing... It holds only 2 quarts of 75W-90 which should be replaced every 40000 miles.
What mileage are you at?

[McCuckerson]

I am at 158k, I bought it at 59k. I have never changed the manual fluid until the other night. I thought it was a closed system, my bad. The fluid looked dark and used but was definitely there. I bought mobil one 75W-90 GL4.

I mentioned the 120 round trip commute. I shift maybe 10 times; its all interstate. I do not ride the clutch, rest my foot on the clutch pedal or lean on the shifter.

About the input shaft bearing... Can I do that myself, or is it a complete rebuild. Is that bearing lubricated by the gear oil? If so is it a bearing/seal?

If its a rebuild do you guys know about how much I am looking at?

[invader]

Tranny bearings are all lubricated by the gear oil... You could save some labor if you can remove the transmission and take it to a rebuild shop. At your mileage, you may as well replace all bearings and synchros while you're at it. You'll also be at your clutch and release bearing if they need to be replaced. The new oil you just put in that has to be drained again will actually do a good job of cleaning it out for the rebuild.
Let me know if you want the 2004 Corolla repair manual free download.

http://cobratransmission.com/index.p...x&cPath=2_1940

http://www.mechanicadvisor.com/nc/ra...air-shops.aspx

http://madstyle1972.com/Repair/41/20ihge1a/conponen.pdf

[McCuckerson]

Thanks Invader,

I would definitely like the download; very much appreciated.

I found a few salvaged trannys with about 20 - 35k on them for about $1500. My mechanic said he could swap them for about $250, which includes a clutch install. I was thinking this may be a good route as it will minimize the cars downtime, and I could rebuild the old tranny and put it on ebay or CL. If I take it to a shop it may be down a week and I have a rebuilt tranny for about $1500 to $2000.

Is my thinking way off? I'm really stressed right now. Daily driver and not a lot of cash to go around!!!!! What happens if I turn up the radio and keep driving?

Thanks!

[invader]

If you keep driving it, it will eventually self-destruct and cause much more damage to tranny.