Are T-5s typically kind of noisy? I just got my car out of 2yrs of storage and am driving it basically for the first time, with any regularity that is. I figure everything is fine because it shifts great I just notice some gear noise - whirring etc. Did there cars basically have no sound deadening material in them so that you can hear the tranny more than in a newer car? I guess it's hard to really say what noises I hear other than what I figure is normal gear noise - anyway, just curious about how noisy the T-5s are.
K

 

TTT

I know somw folks here drive a T5 - maybe this is a silly question......

K

 

T-5 should be basically silent. If you are hearing "gear noise" my bet is that it's actaully bearing noise. The gears generally don't make any noise; they either work quietly, or break. The bearings however, are weak (too small) and will make noise as they wear.

-Tom

 

Well silent it is not. I changed fluid in it a while ago - used Dextron III fluid. I filled it until it ran out the fill hole on the side of the trans case - appropriate I thought. Also changed the tailshaft seal while I was at it. The noise varies from gear to gear - 3rd and 4th seem to have more whirring sounds that other gears. Also I have noticed that the character or pitch of the noise changes ever so slightly when I put gentle pressure on the ****fer while driving along - as in gentle pressure to the side, forward or backward, like when resting my hand of the shifter.

Now I'm paranoid the trans will fail on me. I suppose if a bearing goes it will be a catastrophic failure. My biggest problem is that my alternate car is 550miles away in storage AND I do not have a plave to store the IROC, or the money to fix it for that matter, if the trans does go. What to do......

Definetly does not leak trans fluid - perhaps I should check the level again just to be sure I didn't under-fill it? It's had about 800miles on it since changing the fluid so if I screwed up the fluid the damage is probably already well and done.

Yet another thing to stress about.....
K

 

could it be you rear end? they like to make noise, aftermarket gears particularly

 

Doubt it's the rear end. As I'm driving the sounds clearly are coming from the driveline tunnel right at the trans - I just hear it coming from the center of the car slightly forward of where you sit. That, and the fact the the sound changes a tiny bit with pressure on the shifter makes me think trans.
K

 

My t-5 Camaro makes a lot of whirring and whinning noises in 1st, 2cd, and 3rd especially. It shifts good though, no sticking or jamming. I need a new clutch, flexplate, and throwout bearing though. I also have some ticking noises that are either coming from the bellhousing or the rear of then engine. I have yet to check the fluid level in the thing, and I've had it now for 2 years like this. It is my daily driver at the moment until my GTO comes in.

 

That's interesting - mine makes the most whirring noise in 3rd as well. It's alot like the sound from reverse gear in some cars, the T5 reverse is kind of noisy too. It's not identical, but a similar sound. 4th and 5th are basically silent.. It's gind of a relief to hear some one else say they are hearing the same thing......
K

 

That shouldn't be a relief to hear that others have a problem. It doesn't help the problem that you may have...

If you have noise in 1,2,3rd, it's your countershaft bearing(s) and most likely, it's the one at the front. If your noise is the loudest in third, that would also indicate the front countershaft bearing, as third gear is closest to that bearing, therefore places the greatest load on that bearing. If you have noise in 4th gear, pretty much it has to be the input shaft bearing or the output shaft bearing.

Some noise through the shifter is allowable if you have an aftermarket shifter; they transmit what little noise there should be a lot more than the rubber isolated stock shifter.

-Tom