Tranny whine
 

And I don't mean I have a problem with an upset transsexual. :P

Recently my transmission started whining a bit in 4th and 5th gear. The noise is different between the two gears - quieter and higher-pitched in 4th, and a little louder and deeper in 5th - and increases slightly in volume and pitch as speed/rpms increase. 1, 2, and 3 make no noise, and the 4/5 whines stop entirely while the car is in neutral while shifting.

It started on its own, is pretty subtle, and has not been accompanied by any other symptoms. I don't beat on 4th and 5th, but do spend more time in those two gears than any other.

My last gear oil change was almost 30,000 miles ago, so I'm due for a change soon anyway. I used Mobil1 synthetic last time, but don't care for the feel of it and will be switching to something else this time around. I also haven't checked my gear oil level in the last couple of months, so I suppose it could be low. I'll be checking that tonight.

I ran a search and didn't come up with any other threads that cover gear whine. Any ideas? Are there more serious problems that this could be foreshadowing? :~:

Try some LW shockproof...

I bet checking and/or changing the gear oil will help.

I'm surprised you've been able to live with Mobil-1 for 30K miles. As I understand it, it makes it pretty hard to downshift.

Redline Lightweight Shockproof is the most popular and it is great. I'm going to be putting Motul Gear 300 in mine this weekend.

I checked the fluid level and it was not low. We'll see what happens when it gets changed.

I've been planning on switching to redline this time. The Mobil1 has been unpleasant, but not terrible. Downshifting is manageable, but the whole tranny feels sluggish overall, particularly on cold mornings.

x2 that stuff worked for me just great

Does the noise go away if you push the clutch in in gear with out shifting?

No, it stays until I actually move it out of gear in to neutral.

Ummm...not too tech savvy yet, but mine did the same and it turned out to be my rear diff. Fortunately for me the whine was caused by a certain someone putting in the wrong oil. But once I changed it, it was fine. You might want to check that too. But then again, what do I know...

Is the extra cost justifiable for the Motul over the RedLine, looks like +$6ish/L? Going to be changing my fluid, I had Valvoline synthetic and it shifts hard when cold in the 6mt. Trying to figure if the RL is ok, since it says "not recommended for most syncro-type transmissions" on summit's website.

You could do RL LW SP, but I'd spend the extra $ and get Motul Gear 300.

You can pick it up at EQ Tuning, like I did, or for around the same price, have it shipped from Evasive Motorsports. In a PM they sent me, they said:

A buddy in Washington just took Justin up on it and he was stoked since there was no tax.

All the other STi drivers here really love LWSP in their 6MTs. I'd go with that.

I'm using subaru-S Gear oil, As does a my buddy J.stewart who has an 07 WRX TR . he swears by the Subaru-S claiming it fixed some shifting issues for him.

I have heard LOTS of good stuff about LWSP as well (never driven a car with it though)

So the whine seems to have gotten a teensy bit louder since I first noticed it, but it may just be that I am oversensitive to it at this point.

I've read conflicting info online. . . Some say rear diff. Some say gear or bearing damage. Some say that whine is normal for RS transmissions (seemed to be a common theme on rs25.com). The service manual hints at either just low fluid, or damage.

I haven't had a chance to get the gear oil changed yet, but the level is good. I also need to check the rear diff level, but need to pick up the square tool/key/bit/whatchamacallit to get the plug out. I didn't see the spec listed in the service manual. Can anyone tell me what piece I need, and can I expect Kragen to carry it?

The rear-end drain plugs use a 3/4" socket wrench w/o a socket on the end of it.

Figures it would be that simple. Do 3/4" drive hand socket wrenches even exist? The only thing I can find online is impact wrenches and I'm not ready to shell out for one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&sbv=Craftsman
Not all that cheap though.
I bet that you could find a 1/2 to 3/4 adapter too, maybe at Harbor Freight.

Actually... maybe it's 1/2"... it's not uncommon. I know I had one in my tool box already.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...1&blockType=G1
6.99
here's the proper tool
http://ultimatetoolco.com/drainplugs.aspx

I like the description in the ultimatetoolco link :D

I'll try a 1/2 tonight and see if I can make things happen. Ordering that 13mm socket along with a t70 torx socket would probably be a good idea, though.

Thanks :)

It's 1/2" square drive.

I use my breaker bar to loosen it, and then my ratchet to fully remove it. Start by removing the top plug (filler) so that you don't drain the fluid without making sure you can get new fluid back in.

I think in 2004 or 2005, they switched to the plug that requires a Torx Socket. If you have that type, you'll need to get the proper socket.

They switched the 5mt drain plug to a t-70 in late 2004, iirc. The rear diff is just ~1/2" square. Or 13mm, apparently. I dunno if they switched it after 2005, though.

Out of curiosity, is it even possible for the rear diff to whine only when in 4th and 5th gear, or am I just getting my hopes up?

The rear diff spins at wheel speed... so yeah, if it's whining only over 50 mph or something, you might only notice it in higher gears.

Like Kevin said, it is 1/2". I just changed mine about a month ago and I went to harbor freight and picked up one of their 1/2" breaker bars for like $9. It worked well and I also bought a fluid pump that I didn't end up needing so I took it back. It was pretty easy to fill with the design of the Mobil 1 bottle.

So I found a t70 socket at harbor freight. . . I got both transmission and rear diff oils changed last night, and it made no difference - the sound persists despite all my efforts :(

On the upside, it does not seem to be a problem with gears, as both drain plug magnets were free of metal bits or shavings.

Is there some bearing or bushing that's specific to 4th/5th gears? I'm ruling out center diff, because I'd imagine if the noise were coming from an unhappy center diff, its characteristics would change when I'm turning.