I have an '06 with about 75,000 miles on it and it makes a noise, especially noticeable in 1st through 3rd gears. It sounds like gear noise to me - wah-wah-wah-wah... which changes with RPM and goes away if I put the clutch in. It's especially noticeable cruising, though that could just be because the JCW exhaust takes over with good noises when accelerating.

I only drove the car for a few weeks before doing some major work to it so it's possible I didn't notice it before, or thought it was tire noise or something, but that just doesn't seem likely. You can hear it over the radio if it's at conversational levels.

The possibly-related changes that happened were a Valeo clutch kit, new gear oil, poly T/A bushings, and poly inserts in the trans mount & lower engine mount. I changed from Amsoil synchromesh fluid to regular Amsoil gear oil and removed the poly inserts. Better but still pretty noticeable. I have another R53 and no issue with that noise (I think I can hear it if the radio is of and I really listen).

I can try Redline oil since I know that's what lots of people run but it seems unlikely that will make much difference over Amsoil 75w-90 synthetic.

So, does this indicate past abuse? Tranny on the way out? Some of these boxes make this noise, turn the radio up & don't worry about it? Valeo SMF tends to transmit the noise more?

 

does it sound like this?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-replaced.html

 

Are you sure it is not the differential? Iol is not going to fix this.
It may also be wheel bearings or the passenger side inner axle bearing.
The bearing visible near the center of the shaft.

 

Sorry yyj but that just sounded like a Mini driving over some bumps. Not sure what noise you have but I didn't hear it. Your thread said something about chattering but that's not what I have.

Itsme, I considered those things. Especially the diff. It sounds like worn teeth on part of the gear every time it goes around but that wouldn't be RPM-dependent like this is. Neither would the wheel bearings (new) or anything on the axle shafts.

The frequency raises & lowers directly with the RPM and it goes away completely when the clutch is in. It absolutely sounds like gear noise, worst in 1st gear and getting quieter through 4th until I can't hear it in 5th & 6th.

 

Going to move you to the Stock Problems/Issues area.

 

Would be good if Detroit Tuned or Way Motors comment as they have fixed so many MINIs between the two of them.

 

If the sound goes away when pushing the clutch in, it is related to the clutch itself.

 

Ah so if I'm still in gear, even though the clutch is engaged, the input shaft (and associated gears) of the tranny are still spinning, it's just disconnected from the engine.

But wait, the clutch is still spinning too. So what about the clutch being engaged would cause that sound, louder in lower gears? Also it got noticeably quieter with the change in gear oil.

I realize I forgot to include that the noise can only be heard at 3,000 RPM & up.

If it IS gear noise from the tranny, engaging the clutch would take the pressure off the gear faces which could affect the noise.

 

Back to this problem. I have determined that is actually NOT related to RPM but to speed. It is loudest in the lower gears but I think it just gets quieter the faster it goes (and everything else gets louder). It ONLY makes noise with some pressure on the wheels (slight on/off throttle). Sounds like Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah. I'm almost sure it's an axle, unless one of the new front wheel bearings was defective. ItsMeWayne mentioned the carrier bearing on the passenger shaft. Is that a thing? Strangely it seems to have gotten quieter. Could be temperature related - quieter when it's warmer.

 

If it only makes the noise when the car is moving. You might try putting the front on jack stands and run though the gears. This is inherently dangerous, so make sure the car is really set well and the e brake on too! (do not wind it up in high gears, as it could jump off the stands)( It would be better with the front tires off, but may not make the noise this way)
This may make it easier to identify. If you are not confident in your skills with this, don't do it! if you are, you can have someone run it up in gear and the noise may become very noticeable, to where it is coming from.
Your explanation does not help us. It can come from many sources. wheel bearing packs, CV axle joints, worn transmission bearings, broken gear teeth and a host of other things.

 

Yeah I think I tried that initially and did't hear anything. It needs so resistance to make the noise. I should probably try again with someone in teh car using some brake pressure to create load.
Thx-