Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Dentist drill sound coming from my new Novak AX-15

Conversation today with Jared, the tech at Novak.
Fluid change won’t likely make a difference.
He thinks either pilot bearing or throw out bearing.

Really unfortunate because I’m not about to entertain pulling the transmission again

The pilot bearing doesn't spin when the clutch is out. But i guess if it got messed up during install the input shaft might not be properly supported.

Throw out bearing would normally have a different sound with the pedal down and pedal up.
 
The pilot bearing doesn't spin when the clutch is out. But i guess if it got messed up during install the input shaft might not be properly supported.

Throw out bearing would normally have a different sound with the pedal down and pedal up.
Good points.. No change in sound, feel or performance with clutch depressed or released.

Feels like a witch hunt at this point. I don't want to pull the transmission for an exploratory...
 
Good points.. No change in sound, feel or performance with clutch depressed or released.

Feels like a witch hunt at this point. I don't want to pull the transmission for an exploratory...

If the noise doesn’t change with the clutch depressed or out, then it’s very likely not the throwout bearing. You haven’t posted the noise so it’s hard to say for sure, but initially, I doubt you have a problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
If the noise doesn’t change with the clutch depressed or out, then it’s very likely not the throwout bearing. You haven’t posted the noise so it’s hard to say for sure, but initially, I doubt you have a problem.
Yeah I've wanted to see this video for a while too, you're holding out on us armchair mechanics!!

LOL.. that was unintentional. I didn't know anyone here was waiting on it. Sorry.. and more over..thank you.

I have audio.. no video. I'll grab a vid of it tomorrow.

No change with clutch position. It's not a chatter. Trust I know that sound all too well. The NV3550 sounded like a bucket of hammers and was very much dependent on clutch position.

FWIW.. On my way to work, it didn't make a peep. On my home it did, though not as loud as it has other times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket
LOL.. that was unintentional. I didn't know anyone here was waiting on it. Sorry.. and more over..thank you.

I have audio.. no video. I'll grab a vid of it tomorrow.
Haha. I am just kidding around. I am curious though. I doubt I can help more than say whether mine makes the same noise lol.
No change with clutch position. It's not a chatter. Trust I know that sound all too well. The NV3550 sounded like a bucket of hammers and was very much dependent on clutch position.

FWIW.. On my way to work, it didn't make a peep. On my home it did, though not as loud as it has other times.
That's backwards of what were saying before right? So weird. Do you think it's slowly getting better as you drive it more or no
 
Haha. I am just kidding around. I am curious though. I doubt I can help more than say whether mine makes the same noise lol.

That's backwards of what were saying before right? So weird. Do you think it's slowly getting better as you drive it more or no

Honestly.. it's inconsistent. Trying to find a repeatable pattern.. Other than the consistent rpm range and that is only happens when I'm floating the throttle. Can't say if it is getting better but happy to say it isn't getting worse.
 
Different fluid manufacturers use different additive blends, and the range seems to widen with synthetic oils. I know it sounds crazy, but the fluid could make a difference.

When I bought my first Jeep (‘97 TJ, 4.0, AX-15) 16 years ago, it was a bear to shift into second. Just wouldn’t engage smoothly. Fluid looked good when I drained it, no debris, etc. Refilled it with Redline MTL, and the problem disappeared within a week and never came back. YMMV, but it’s worth trying the recommended oil before you pull the trans.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NovakConversions
Different fluid manufacturers use different additive blends, and the range seems to widen with synthetic oils. I know it sounds crazy, but the fluid could make a difference.

When I bought my first Jeep (‘97 TJ, 4.0, AX-15) 16 years ago, it was a bear to shift into second. Just wouldn’t engage smoothly. Fluid looked good when I drained it, no debris, etc. Refilled it with Redline MTL, and the problem disappeared within a week and never came back. YMMV, but it’s worth trying the recommended oil before you pull the trans.

I would say this is certainly worth a shot. I'm sure most of us have seen that certain engines, transmissions, etc. seem to play nicer with some fluids over others. My truck has it's preferred engine oil that's for sure!
 
Different fluid manufacturers use different additive blends, and the range seems to widen with synthetic oils. I know it sounds crazy, but the fluid could make a difference.

When I bought my first Jeep (‘97 TJ, 4.0, AX-15) 16 years ago, it was a bear to shift into second. Just wouldn’t engage smoothly. Fluid looked good when I drained it, no debris, etc. Refilled it with Redline MTL, and the problem disappeared within a week and never came back. YMMV, but it’s worth trying the recommended oil before you pull the trans.
I used Redline MTL in the NV3550 with good results. Royal Purple was what was recommended for the AX15. Changing the oil this weekend and will have a go at Redline in the transmission.

I would say this is certainly worth a shot. I'm sure most of us have seen that certain engines, transmissions, etc. seem to play nicer with some fluids over others. My truck has it's preferred engine oil that's for sure!
Worth throwing $100 at it on a maybe.

I used Redline MTL in the NV3550 with good results.


What’s recommended for the AX15…. MTL or MT-90?

I finally got what I think is a decent vid of the noise. There’s so much road noise that for as much as I can hear the whine clearly, it’s hard to capture the audio of it
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket
RP Synchromax, while it won’t hurt anything, is not what’s usually recommended for the AX15. If I recall, you went with synchromax because it was easiest to get. Not because it was supposed to be the best choice.

For Redline, MT90 would be the one that meets the spec most closely. Personally I don’t like Redline either.

Just find something in the XW-90 GL4 range and run it. Summit racing sells numerous options, Ravenol has a lot of options as well. Whatever you get is probably not going to do diddly for the noise; it’s simply not that critical of a fluid choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
RP Synchromax, while it won’t hurt anything, is not what’s usually recommended for the AX15. If I recall, you went with synchromax because it was easiest to get. Not because it was supposed to be the best choice.

For Redline, MT90 would be the one that meets the spec most closely. Personally I don’t like Redline either.

Just find something in the XW-90 GL4 range and run it. Summit racing sells numerous options, Ravenol has a lot of options as well. Whatever you get is probably not going to do diddly for the noise; it’s simply not that critical of a fluid choice.

hmmm.. I don't think one was easier to get than the other. Both are readily available locally as well as on Amazon. When I was doing the swap money was flying out the window so I doubt the price was a factor either. I don't know. I do recall looking at the lube you suggested but it would have taken too long to be delivered.

I really don't think it will make a difference either.. but I am noticing that the gear box is dead quiet until it is warm. Could be mechanical expansion related? or it very well could be the fluid. Once it is warm the whining starts and the clutch pedal (not performance) starts to feel grabby and creaks as it is pressed and released. The mystery continues.

More and more I am leaning towards the throw out bearing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket
Best I could get... Can hear it start at 0:03.
Now that I listen to it, it's more of a buzz than a whine.

-Doesn't happen when cold. Life is good until it warms up
-Once warm, the buzz will happen fairly repeatably, between 2250 rpms and 2750 rpms.
-Agnostic to gear selection, or speed
-Happens when "floating" on the throttle. Once it starts, pressing or lifting throttle will cause it go stop
-No change to clutch performance.. shifts are fine
-Clutch pedal starts to feel a little sticky about two thirds into the pedal throw
 
Last edited:
  • Wow
Reactions: lBasket
Mildly infuriating...

Jeep sat overnight. Drive this morning after a short warmup. Dead quiet until the rig warmed.. about fifteen minutes of town and highway driving. Then the buzz started. Sat at work for a few hours. Drove about fifteen minutes and started hear it again. Parked for no more than five minutes and then back on the road again. Drove it for nearly forty minutes, a bit of highway and a bunch of local roads.. it was dead quiet. I was right at 2500 rpms almost the entire time. Not a peep. Repeated the same.. sat for a few minutes and about thirty minutes of driving right at 2500 rpms. Not a sound.

I know I said earlier that I am leaning towards the throw out bearing. I am no longer thinking that's it.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: lBasket
It's an odd sound, for sure, but it doesn't sound destructive. I'd be inclined to just drive it. One of two things will happen: (1) It will go away with break-in, or (2) It will get worse over time, at which point you'll be better able to pinpoint it and definitively identify it. In the meantime, watch your trans fluid for glitter. Get one of those magnetic drain plugs.

Side note: I have a whine in my driveline (4.0/AX15) that comes & goes. It's different from yours, tho. Mine definitely has that excessive lash sound to it, and more pronounced when I'm 4WD, so I suspect it's in the front half of the driveline somewhere-- either the front dif, or the front half of the transfer case. (I'm not inclined to get into it right away, as it's still cold AF, and I don't have the slab poured in my garage yet.)

It's stupid stuff like this that really makes me miss manual hubs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
It's an odd sound, for sure, but it doesn't sound destructive. I'd be inclined to just drive it. One of two things will happen: (1) It will go away with break-in, or (2) It will get worse over time, at which point you'll be better able to pinpoint it and definitively identify it. In the meantime, watch your trans fluid for glitter. Get one of those magnetic drain plugs.

Side note: I have a whine in my driveline (4.0/AX15) that comes & goes. It's different from yours, tho. Mine definitely has that excessive lash sound to it, and more pronounced when I'm 4WD, so I suspect it's in the front half of the driveline somewhere-- either the front dif, or the front half of the transfer case. (I'm not inclined to get into it right away, as it's still cold AF, and I don't have the slab poured in my garage yet.)

It's stupid stuff like this that really makes me miss manual hubs.

Fluid change again in the next week or two. Then monitor it. It hasn't gotten worse. If anything, there have been a few times it hasn't happened at all.

AX15 has a magnetic drain plug.

Just no looking forward to it once doors-off season comes. It's really annoying with the Jeep all buttoned up for winter. It's going to outright suck once everything is open.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket
Changed the fluid last Friday. Third fluid flush since installing the AX15. Both previous were with Royal Purple SynchroMax.

Should have listened to @machoheadgames from the start and used the Joe Gibbs Driven Racing GL4. It was less expensive than the Royal Purple and delivery from Summit was quick enough. Used it this time.

A little over 300 miles of highway driving, most right at 2500 rpms, tons of local driving since Friday and... drum roll....

The offensive buzzing noise is gone. Not a peep... so far.

Dare I say, the Jeep has never been this quiet, with the exception of the creaky clutch pedal I am chasing. First gear, which was seriously cranky, has been super smooth.

Now if I can just find that annoying creaking in the clutch pedal...
 
Last edited:
Changed the fluid last Friday. Third fluid flush since installing the AX15. Both previous were with Royal Purple SynchroMax.

Should have listened to @machoheadgames from the start and used the Joe Gibbs Driven Racing GL4. It was less expensive than the Royal Purple and delivery from Summit was quick enough.

A little over 300 miles of highway driving, most right at 2500 rpms, tons of local driving since Friday and... drum roll....

The offensive buzzing noise is gone. Not a peep... so far.

Dare I say, the Jeep has never been this quiet, with the exception of creaky clutch pedal. First gear, which was seriously cranky, has been super smooth.

Now if I can just find that annoying creaking in the clutch pedal...

Whoo hoo!!! So glad to hear this!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts