About a year ago, I heard token signs of a clutch on it's way out (throw-out bearing rattle, and the "chirp" of the clutch in first gear). So I replaced the complete clutch assembly about 10 months ago. I still heard a rattle when it was idling (although fainter) while the clutch was engaged, but I chalked it up to the chatter people have mentioned is a normal quirk of these cars. However, recently, I have noticed a few new noises, and I am wondering if they are related.

When accelerating at low rpm's, I hear a rattle/grind on the driver's side. It goes away once the rpm's get up over 3000. It also makes a rattle/grinding noise when I am cruising (in 5th or 6th gear) and I take my foot off the accelerator. If I tap on the accelerator (or even barely rest my foot on it) it will go away.

Thoughts? Is this the ill-fated "input shaft bearing" issue that I am reading about?

Thanks in advance.

 

So when the diff gear is on the coast side, it grinds/rattles, but when it's on the drive side of the gear, it's fine? That's what I have, usually when I'm up above 3000rpm and downshifting.

The first part sounds like a bad timing chain tensioner.

 

I've got this problem on my mini right now and It is the input shaft, my transmission guy took it apart and the input shaft has a corroded ring around it which now needs to be replaced, sadly this is an expensive fix and will probably require to swap it with a used transmission.

 

i also have a rattle when the clutch pedal is released at idle. then when its pressed in, it goes away.

sometimes if i let it out slowly, it wont rattle. ive read that this is common and nothing to worry about.

not sure how entirely true that is, but im also not sure how that sound could be the chain tensioner.

 

Definitely not the chain tensioner, it is common but it is definitely something you should worry about if it isn't the clutch (release bearing) then it is the trans mine did the same but the longer you leave it the more noise that it will make. I left mine alone because my mechanic said it will go away but it got worse and it got to where even when I press in the clutch it would rattle. It needs to be checked out sooner than later don't tell them to replace this or that, just ask them to fix the rattle, if they swap the clutch and it still rattles then don't pay for the clutch kit they put in, cause you didn't ask for the clutch kit you asked for the rattle to be fixed.

 

What transmission is this? Midlands 5spd or Getrag 6spd? The Getrags are bulletproof, although you may hear some noise if your gear oil is too thin.
Use Redline MTL in the Getrag. Not sure what the Midlands uses.

 

Thanks for the response! It is the 6-speed. I was going to try topping off the transmission fluid, but I wasnt sure how much of a real issue it was if the input shaft bearing was on the way out. Also, does anyone know if this issue with the input shaft is something there has been a service bulletin on?