Transmission rattling?!

[TBayToyotaBoy]

I've had more 5-speed Toyotas than I care to count, but the Celica's (1991 5SFE)is the first tranny ever to rattle like this...I think it's the release fork, because when I depress the clutch (at idle) the rattle disappears. I don't detect any rattling while in gear.

All clutch components are dealer parts, as far as I know (previous owner had clutch replaced). Has anyone had this happen? Could the bearing be going, causing enough freeplay for the fork to vibrate? I'm at a loss here. The sound is internal, not originating from the fork/slave cylinder contact.

[95GT]

I did a lot of research on my 95gt clutch and I found this:

"If your manual transmission car has an annoying noise when ever the clutch pedal is all the way out, and the noise goes away as soon as you put the slightest presure on the pedal, it is easily repaired. Get a can of disc brake wheel bearing grease and a small stiff brush. Pull the shift fork boot away from the bell housing, Push the gork forward (it will be difficult). Take the brush with a dab of grease and smooth around the area of the ball stud and shift fork dimple. Do this 2 or 3 times. Replace boot.DO NOT SPRAY ANYTHING INSIDE CLUTCH HOUSING---THE DISC MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED. However, if you get a noise when you press the pedal further, it is your throwout bearing that is going bad and needs to be replaced. Hope this helps.

To find out what is causing the noise, set the parking brake, place the vehicle in neutral and start the engine.

A growling or grinding noise when the clutch is engaged is the transmission input shaft vearing.

A squealing sound that occurs when the clutch pedal is depressed and held is usually caused by a bad pilot bearing or bushing.

A chirping noise that intensifies when the pedal is slowly depressed would indicate a bad release bearing.

If you hear chirping while idling in nuetral and the noise goes away when the pedal is slowly depressed, the fork/pivot ball contact point is making the noise. Good luck!

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Wow, that's a LOT of good information...thanks a million.

I had thought the rattle was originating inside the bellhousing, but I'm going to try greasing the fork/slave contact as suggested. I appreciate the extensive reply.

[Rick89GTS]

I had this on my 85 Celica years ago and it was the throw-out bearing. Hopefully this trick will work for you. Let us know what happens...

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Yeah, I'm starting to think you may be right...I've noticed that it's a little harder to find first gear lately...and reverse is touchy too. The clutch plate is still good, but I think they may have re-used the pressure plate and release bearing. Dammit.

Thanks for the info.