Are these "normal" sounds for a rebuilt manual transmission?

[childofthewind]

Hey, everyone. Hope spring is treating you well.

I've got my new/rebuilt transmission in and wanted to run a couple noises past you. I'll try to explain the best I can:


* When I downshift into second from either neutral or any gear, there is sort of this zipping sound. It doesn't happen with any other gears. It only happens when shifting into second when the RPMs are higher than say when I'm shifting from first into second. Is this synchro related? According to the person who rebuilt the tranny, there are 4 new synchros in it.

* Second sound is a whirring in second gear, mostly from 2400 rpm up until I shift into third. I remember my old transmission making a similar sound in second gear and so I'm not sure if this is how ALL 4 speed transmissions for Vanagons sound in second gear. I don't remember my old one being as loud although I think the sound improved when a shop topped my tranny fluid.

Here is what the rebuilder included in the transmission (with a different core than mine):

-4 synchros / 2 diff bearing seals

-1 ms bearing

-1 pinion bearing

-1 lower pinion bearing

-2 needle bearings

-3/4 slider/hub updated

-6 dog teeth retainers


Just wondering if I should be at all concerned with above noises.

Thanks!
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1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[Terry Kay]

No one can decypher accurately what's happening without being there, experiencing the problem.

Post a sound byte here, or take the van back to the outfit who did the work.

The second selection being the best move you can make , Right Now.
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T.K.

[candyman]

No idea what to tell you about the first sound you describe. However, second gear does normally have a whine, atleast every van ive owned had the same whine in second gear, including brand new rebuilt transmission units. Hope that helps

[gears]

I can't comment on your described noise, but I'll comment on what you've said below.

Only downshift into 2nd when your RPMs in 3rd dictate that you downshift to avoid lugging the engine. You shouldn't downshift into 2nd gear to slow the car down .. unless you have no problem with needless transaxle wear. (Brake components are less expensive.)

The synchros themselves don't make any noise.

[childofthewind]

[MidwestDrifter]

[childofthewind]

I tried hard to capture the sound via my phone's recorder. Couldn't get it. Here's an older thread that sort of describes what I'm talking about -- the sound when I'm downshifting into second:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=440625&start=0
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[Ahwahnee]

[dobryan]

AFAIK you should not have any noises in second gear. It should sound fine like the other gears...
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Terry Kay]

Is a vanagon the only manual trans vehicle on the planet you shouldn't use the benifits of engine braking by downshifting?

Never heard of such a crazy claim to fame.

I downshift my 51 Crosley coming up to a light for cripes sake.

The VW engineers really came up with a cheesy gearbox, that's for sure if you can't use it -- normally.
_________________
T.K.

[zak99B5]

Downshifting coming to a stop is unnecessary and causes unneeded wear on the clutch (as well as tranny).

In any manual car.

Let's say you're driving along in town in third gear. You see a stop light ahead. Just leave it in third, let off the gas to gradually slow down (engine braking) and then apply the brakes as you approach the stop light.

As the speed of the bus slows, the rpms of the motor will also slow. When they get to about 1000 or so, just depress the clutch, shift ino neutral, let off the clutch pedal, and continue to stop the van with the brakes.

When the light turns green, depress the clutch, select first, and off you go.

This way you take advantage of engine braking without burning up the clutch to do so.
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1991 Tintop GL Manual tranny, EJ22

[greebly]

Brakes are cheap, especially if you use cheap pads that wear instead of rotors.

[Terry Kay]

You don't need a clutch to downshift, or upshift for that matter, you only need it to come to or take off from a stop.

Semi's, no syncro's in a 9,10,13,16,18, speed gear boxes you upshift & downshift via rpms.

Only use the clutch to stop & start.

Gotta be a pretty weak drivetrain to not be able to use the mechanical advantage of usng it to slow down, or might be as simple as it's not knowing how to use it properly.

Lose RPM, an automatic trans will downshift to gain this built in advantage.

So you guys don't downshift going around a street corner for fear of smoking the clutch or transaxle?

Praise the Lord Baby Jesus, I'm really happy I've only owned automatics.

They do downshift coming to a stop or going around a corner.
No Charmin, Scott, cheesy transaxles for my driving style.
_________________
T.K.

[Gnarlodious]

The whirring noise you described is normal. Mine did it for a while and then went away.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[dobryan]

[wyldryce]

I get that some of the posts come off as "mansplaining", but you did start a post talking about new tranny noises and soliciting information/advice . I think it's fair to say that you current driving style isn't causing the new noises your hearing; that is likely a faulty synchro or other other assembly issue, but downshifting into second without rev matching (causing the synchros to have the do the speed matching, is going to work them a lot harder than the methods of driving described by others. The fact of the matter is, by modern standards, these are a pretty fragile gearbox. That's why mine is being replaced by a Suby 5mt (that, and the desire for more appropriate gearing/ratios). TK is essentially right...one shouldn't have to treat a gearbox with kid gloves, but this tranny has a long and established reputation for proving that wrong. [/i]

[MidwestDrifter]

One tip. If your shift linkage is a bit out of alignment, or its rubbing in the box/gate under the floor. Noises/vibrations can be transmitted to the handle.

When you are hearing the noise, try wiggling/moving the shifter a little bit. If the noise goes away, its likely that it is vibrations/rubbing in the shift linkage. The shift linkage turns the vibration into audible noise. Just a thought.
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