grinding/rattling noise after new clutch install

well i replaced the clutch in my taco this weekend and sad to say i have got this grinding/rattling noise happening in 5th gear only. the noise starts at about 53 mph and lasts up to 57 mph and then disappears. it doesn't sound like its coming internally from the transmission and all bearing (throw out and pilot) were replaced along with clutch pedal adjustments made. i don't understand where it could be coming from. it sounds like it is coming from in between the cab and the bed but i cannot pin point. Has anyone else had this problem?

fyi the clutch is the pro series clutch from LC Engineering for the 2rz-fe with the 2wd w59 5 speed trans.

 

exhaust heat shield ?
Sounds like your issue is rpm dependent.
Transmission rubbing up against the cab of the truck where the shifter comes through into the cab ?

 

Agree, sounds like it is dependent on road and engine/exhaust vibration which as the above poster suggested is likely the heat shield/s or pipe itself touching something.

 

I had an issue like this after getting my stage 2 Competition clutch installed a few months ago, after shifting from 1st to 2nd (after getting into the gear) there would be this crazy loud 'rattle' sound coming from the transmission/clutch area. Almost sounded like one of those Native American rain sticks. Turns out the shop that did the install put the clutch in backwards, it was toast within a week. $500 down the drain, not including the massive bill I got to pay Toyota to have them fix it with a stock clutch. But that's another story...

Not saying this is the case for you, another reason for it is that the plate may not have been torqued down properly. I remember reading that if you don't do each of the 6 (?) bolts in the right order then it may distort the plate and cause a rattling sound. Something to consider anyhow

 

thank you all for the input! i checked all the shifter clearance and its not touching. i guess im going to pull the trans back out and see if the clutch plate is screwed up. the only time i get the noise is between 53 and 57 and it only happens in 5th gear. im starting to lean towards either the clutch install was wrong or there is something inside the trans on the fifth gear.

 

I wouldnt pull the trans out just yet .
I doubt its a clutch issue if its only making the sound at high speed .
You are using the clutch in every gear to get up to that speed and should hear noise every time the clutch disc pulls away from the flywheel if you believe the disc was installed backwards .
Drive the truck in 4th gear up to 53-57 mph . Does it still make the noise ?
Does it make the noise when you take your foot off the gas pedal slowing down from 57-53 ?

There are some clutch installation threads with pictures at this link .
Have a quick peek
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.338836/

 

thank you gearcrucher. i also installed the lc engineering short shifter kit. im going to try a few things today, first being removing that and seeing if it eliminates problem. second is to "flip" the drive shaft over to see if maybe that was an issue when reinstalled. lastly is to pull the trans back down and disassemble all the clutch components and check all torque specs and hope there is no damage if they did not bolt down the pressure plate correctly

 

Here is a good write up with some pics of a clutch install . I am certain you can shine a flashlight through the inspection cover to see if the clutch disc is installed backwards

 

after i finish some coffee i will be getting to it. quick question about the fluid. i put synthetic 75w-90 in it. should i drain that back out and go with the api gl-4 / gl-5? i found a write up saying that 75w-90 causes hard shifting and grinding.

http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Transaxle_oil.pdf

thats the link to the pdf

 

GL5 Fluid Now Acceptable for Manual Transmissions?https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gl5-fluid-now-acceptable-for-manual-transmissions.341017/

 

thank you sir. you have been extremely helpful!!

 

well i think the clutch plate is backwards...
i cannot find anything vibrating. i put the rear wheels in the air and its making the noise from the bell housing which makes me think the clutch plate or pressure plate have an issue.

 

after adjusting the pedal there is no difference so throw out bearing isnt an issue except when it sounds like a cricket.

 

well after going at it all day....nothing..
the noise is isolated to 5th gear only. 4th gear does not make the sound at the above mentioned speeds. so it could be a misalignment of the pressure plate, but wouldn't it make the noise in all the other gears?
It may be the input shaft bearing of the transmission, but again shouldn't it do it in all the other gears?
It may be the synchronizer for fifth gear or a main bearing on the shaft for fifth gear, and that would cause the noise only in fifth correct?
Or finally could it be a throw out bearing issue, but shouldn't it do it in other gears?

 

My suggestion would be to run it by a reputable transmission shop for a " FREE " test drive . Those guys diagnose these issues every day and can usually pick out the problem by simply test driving your truck .
From what you are explaining and as far as I am concerned , this issue has nothing to do with the clutch , nothing to do with the clutch release bearing and nothing to do with the pilot bearing even though the noise you are hearing seems to be coming from the bellhousing area .
If we take the powerflow of the gearing into consideration , the transmission is quiet through all the gears except 5th gear .
4th gear is direct drive meaning both the input shaft and output shaft are locked together as 1 shaft . I suggest driving the truck in 4th gear at 53 - 57 mph to verify you have no noise using 4th gear at the same speed you hear the noise in 5th gear . This will eliminate the mainshaft inside the transmission as the cause of the noise . I may have mentioned this earlier hehehehe .

Did the truck make noise in 5th gear before the clutch was replaced ?

 

gearcrucher,
it did not make noise in 5th before clutch install. it doesn't make the noise in 4th gear through that range of speed either. im starting to lean towards maybe an input shaft bearing.

 

well update, no metal in the fluid so i dont think it is 5th gear or gear box. i think LC Engineering sent me the wrong clutch release bearing. i think maybe i got the one for a 5vz and after looking at comparisons of the two they look very similar.

 

on to the next chapter...
now I'm leaning towards the input shaft bearing. nothing me, my father in law, or brother in laws have tried thus far has seemed to track it down. i guess its time to open the trans and see what it holds.

 

I agree that there is an internal issue and simply coincidental that it occured at the same time your clutch was installed . The problem with 5th gear noise is the powerflow uses all the bearings to carry the load.
These transmissions are fairly easy to work on .Remove the case halves and mount in the vise as shown in the above picture . After that , its exploritory looking for the cause of the noise
Here is a small write up http://testroete.com/car/Toyota/mr2 spyder/References/Technical Training/02 - Chassis and Drivetrain/04.pdf

 

before i go that deep i think im going to drive it and keep an eye on it until the break in period is up. if its still making the noise im going to ditch the aftermarket clutch and go back to OEM through exedy.