5spd trans noise in neutral - HELP!

Hey guys,

Not the post I was expecting to make this Saturday evening.

1999, 2.7, 4x4. Fired the truck up a few minutes ago. Started fine, but as soon as I let the clutch out (in neutral) I got a rattling noise (sounds like a machine gun, about 500 rpm lol). I can feel this shaking through the shifter knob.

The noise ONLY HAPPENS WHEN CLUTCH IS FULLY LET OUT IN NEUTRAL. Noise is not present when I begin to release clutch in 1st, however, the clutch does not feel like it is working properly- the truck is bucking while slipping it.

I replaced the entire clutch assembly summer of 2021 - very confused - and I would seriously appreciate any advice as to what this could be. Less time I have to waste doing research. The truck is my daily so I guess I'm pulling the trans tomorrow in my driveway.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like the pressure plate or disc has issues.

 

Another thing - speed of knocking increasing with engine RPM

 

Really, the only other thing that I didn't mention is the main shaft bearings in the transmission and I'd rather it be the clutch or pressure plate. Either way, you'll have to drop the transmission to find out what it is.

 

Since you recently replaced the clutch assembly...do you remember if you properly torqued all the fasteners on the pressure plate? You are looking at dropping the tranny regardless.

 

Clutch release bearing .

Might be the fork starting to break

Last time you parked the Truck all was fine?? No strange noises?

These things tend to have signs before failing .

Outside in the rain perhaps water seeped into the bell housing now you have ice where there should not be anything.

 

How does the clutch fluid look? This one snuck up on me.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2003-manual-hydraulic-clutch-fluid.789748/

 

Yes I did - and I even torqued them in the correct order (Aisin specified)

 

I have a feeling it may be ice - I have been in Colorado for a week and I came home to this. I'm going to let it warm up and see what happens. The truck was absolutely fine before this. No noises, shifting smoothly.

 

I can't believe it but - IT'S GONE!

It was making the noise and still acting weird when I first rolled out of the driveway, but as soon as I shifted into second, all the issues went away. No more noise, no weird shifting. I assume ice was built up somewhere in the clutch assembly.

Thank you everybody. I cannot explain the relief I am feeling right about now haha.

 

I have seen strange things happen over the years!!

Glad it appears to be fine!

 

Quite a remote diagnosis by Bivouac!

Now that it's behaving properly again, you might want to look at how water got in there in the first place and see if you can prevent that in the future.