Rattle from transmission that goes away when clutch is pushed in

[DCB]

Looking for some advice. I have a sound coming from my trans (02, 4.0, manual). It only occurs when it warms up and clutch out. Push clutch in sound goes away. Rattling sound... I was told it was coming from the center on the transmission. Everything in the bell housing is new. Took it to a very reputable transmission shop they said it needed to be rebuilt. It shifts OK...notchy but ok. Should I send the $$ to get it rebuilt now or wait? I am sure it will have to be done sometime in the near future. Thanks

 

[JDS123]

The NV3550 is a very loud transmission. When my transmission gets warmed up on a hot day, I can really hear it when sitting in neutral.

Does your transmission make noise when in gear or only when in neutral?

 

[CodaMan]

I will start to worry about mine when it stops making noise ...

and welcome to the NV3550 club

 

[ElectricWizard]

Yeah my NV3550 always sounds like marbles are rolling around inside, but aside from some clunky shifting when cold it still works perfectly fine.

 

[Boinked]

Looking for some advice. I have a sound coming from my trans (02, 4.0, manual). It only occurs when it warms up and clutch out. Push clutch in sound goes away. Rattling sound... I was told it was coming from the center on the transmission. Everything in the bell housing is new. Took it to a very reputable transmission shop they said it needed to be rebuilt. It shifts OK...notchy but ok. Should I send the $$ to get it rebuilt now or wait? I am sure it will have to be done sometime in the near future. Thanks

If its a daily driver and you have to have it. It might be worth the money to rebuilt it. If its a weekend/pleasure jeep. Wait.

I have heard the a quart of gm synchromesh can quite it down.you must remove a quart of used oil. Im still on the fence if it is good for it. But many people swear by it.

 

[CodaMan]

That noise is usually the input shaft. My last Jeep had 180,000 miles on it and the noise was there for over 100,000 of it, and it was still going strong when i sold it.

 

[Shwane]

Mine's been making it for 2 years with zero ill effects. Like others have said. When it quits making it, I'll worry then.

 

[DCB]

It has new MoPar fluid in it now. It is a daily driver for sure.

Some have said, don’t worry about they have driven for years without issues.


I had all the bearings replaced that could be without going into the transmission.

 

[Boinked]

It has new MoPar fluid in it now. It is a daily driver for sure.

Some have said, don’t worry about they have driven for years without issues.


I had all the bearings replaced that could be without going into the transmission.

My advice is personal preference.

I would go with the guys that have had the same sound issues. I would trust them. I don't think they would steer you wrong.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If its a daily driver and you have to have it. It might be worth the money to rebuilt it. If its a weekend/pleasure jeep. Wait.

I have heard the a quart of gm synchromesh can quite it down.you must remove a quart of used oil. Im still on the fence if it is good for it. But many people swear by it.

Synchromesh from GM or Pennzoil (the same product) doesn't get many good reviews, few like how the transmission shifts afterward. Not to mention Synchromesh is also not a synthetic as works best in uber-cold conditions. For the NV3550 and NSG370 transmissions that came after 1999,it's real hard to beat Redline MTL which is a synthetic.

A rattling noise when in Neutral and the clutch pedal is up that disappears when the clutch pedal is pushed down is usually perfectly normal. It's the normal sounds of the transmission input shaft spinning the bearings. Stepping down on the clutch pedal stops the transmission's input shaft from being spun by the engine.

 

[DCB]

Synchromesh from GM or Pennzoil (the same product) doesn't get many good reviews, few like how the transmission shifts afterward. Not to mention Synchromesh is also not a synthetic as works best in uber-cold conditions. For the NV3550 and NSG370 transmissions that came after 1999,it's real hard to beat Redline MTL which is a synthetic.

A rattling noise when in Neutral and the clutch pedal is up that disappears when the clutch pedal is pushed down is usually perfectly normal. It's the normal sounds of the transmission input shaft spinning the bearings. Stepping down on the clutch pedal stops the transmission's input shaft from being spun by the engine.

So it’s normal?

Doesn’t sound good. In neutral it’s pretty loud, but if I pull the shifter down toward 2nd gear the noise gets better.

Don’t want to spend $1200 if I don’t have to, but don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road either. ..

 

[AndyG]

Exactly ..this is why going to second BEFORE reverse can stop grinding ..it stops the rotation .

 

[Echo5]

So it’s normal?

Doesn’t sound good. In neutral it’s pretty loud, but if I pull the shifter down toward 2nd gear the noise gets better.

Don’t want to spend $1200 if I don’t have to, but don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road either. ..

Mine sounds like marbles until I press the clutch. It also sounds like shit when I shut off the engine with the clutch out - kind of embarrassing - but it I keep the clutch in when I shut it off it sounds just fine. Being my first ever manual I was worried that the clutch was on its last leg. My local guy said it's fine and has many miles to go before it needs a rebuild.

 

[DCB]

Like I said, it has all new parts from the front of the trans to the engine...so I know all that is ok.

So no worries of it leaving me stranded?

 

[Echo5]

Like I said, it has all new parts from the front of the trans to the engine...so I know all that is ok.

So no worries of it leaving me stranded?

I honesty do not think anyone would guarantee that you wouldn't be stranded. Get AAA or towing coverage from your insurance company - that's the only way to not be stranded.

 

[DCB]

I have AAA, so no worries there.

Just don’t want to wait if I should do it now.

I can spend that $$ on suspension stuff...

 

[ElectricWizard]

Like I said, it has all new parts from the front of the trans to the engine...so I know all that is ok.

So no worries of it leaving me stranded?

If the transmission shifts fine and the noise is your only concern I wouldn't worry too much about being stranded. Mine is quite noisy but shifts great and I haven't let it stop me from going out to remote locations. These are just plain old noisy transmissions.

 

[Echo5]

I have AAA, so no worries there.

Just don’t want to wait if I should do it now.

I can spend that $$ on suspension stuff...

Maybe get a second (in person) opinion? I mean, diagnosing a problem based off of sound via written text on the Internet isn't exactly fool-proof...

 

[DCB]

I had 2 different people say the same thing, in person.

 

[Echo5]

I had 2 different people say the same thing, in person.

Well, if those two people are knowledgeable/experienced with TJs then I would heed their advice.

I know this will come off as asshole-ish and I don't mean it that way, but if two people told you to get it fixed why wouldn't you? It seems pretty cut and dry, if you are worried about being stranded (with AAA) and a have two hands-on (so to say) opinions then get it rebuilt.