Grinding Sound

[04Orion]

I did a quick search and didn't come up with any answers...


Started to notice a grinding/vibrating sound at the top of my lower gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd) right before the shift.

- I have an AT.
- It seems to be at it's worst when the car has just started running (first ten minutes or so).
- I recently installed a z-tube, I thought maybe it was that vibrating against something but further investigation does not suggest that.
- Pretty sure it's coming from under the car.

Any thoughts on what could cause it? The sound is totally embarrassing. =/

[RED_DET]

Heatshield loose?

[audtatious]

You need to crawl all over the vehicle in order to find where the sound is coming from. Without knowing a location it's all guess work.

[tollboothwilley]

i agree...there are so many things it could be that its tough to even give you a place to start.

when do you hear the noise? does it ever go away? only when driving? when parked? idle or high rev?

[04Orion]

I understand, except I only hear the noise when I'm moving. I've tried just starting the car, letting it warm up, and then rev the engine, nothing. Nothing at idle, either. It's only when I'm moving, and even then, it isn't a constant sound. I hear it, and then the car shifts and it quiets down.

[audtatious]

When was the last time you flushed the transmission or AWD diff?

[04Orion]

Hmm. I bought the car at 81xxx miles and I'm at 88xxx miles. I haven't done either of those services, but I was under the impression that those are things that take place at 100k+ miles. =/

Also, after a little more investigation, it does not do it under very soft acceleration or hard acceleration, just under "normal" acceleration. It also doesn't seem to do it as badly when the temperature outside is above 80.

I'm sorry this seems so vague! I'll be taking in it to get it looked at in the next few days, I'll let y'all know what they say.