Hi its me again with the firebird... as i have said before i have a 1988 manual pontiac firebird formula 305.. my question has to do with the reverse gear... while im driving in reverse the car makes a terrible grinding noise... im not sure what this could be from? the car also tends to shut off after stopping after driving in reverse... what could this be from??

 

Where does it sound like the noise is coming from?

 

A little whine from the reverse idler in these gearboxes is not abnormal, but if the sound has changed, you should investigate. You might want to check the rear suspension (LCAs, torque arm) to make sure they are holding the differential housing solidly in place and not allowing the axle to torque downward under reversing loads. Check the play in the rear axle input pinion as well. Of course, check the oil level in the transmission and check for full engagement of the reverse gear.

 

I just recently had a t5 apart, where the fork contacts the gear on the reverse shaft, on that gear is a rubber "o" ring. I assume that this is to stop vibration. At any rate, if the car had been jammed in or out of reverse, that "o" ring could disentegrate and cause some of th eproblem you'r e experiencing. Also reverse is the weakest gear int he trans, these guys who are doing reverse burnouts are just stupid.