Stage 2 Clutch noise

[Pookie142000]

I just recently installed a stage 2 clutch w/ a lightweight flywheel. I knew that with a stage 2 that there will be neutral "clatter" but after taking it for a test drive I noticed that there was like a weird noise when accelerating, well more of it comes when ever accelerating while under 2000 RPM. I'm trying to find out if this is normal until the break-in period or if it something to be worried about or not.

I replaced the clutch because there was a "howling noise" when it was cold and under 2500-3000 RPM. I thought that it was the throwout bearing going bad. So I replaced everything. But this morning when I was driving to the store I noticed that the Howling noise was still there. Could this be my rear-end going out? or could it be something else?

[Pookie142000]

The noise from the clutch is also present in any gear just as long as the RPMs are under 2000 RPM. and the noise will go away as soon as I pass 2000 RPM

[RED_DET]

The sound you are hearing is amplified gear chatter from the lightweight flywheel. The noise will not go away, even after break-in. Which flywheel did you go with? The lighter the flywheel, the worse the noise will be. I have the ACT streetlite weighing 17.9 lbs and the noise is there ever so slightly.

[Pookie142000]

I honestly don't remember which flywheel it was cause I bought it over 2 years ago and just finally got around to installing it....
Do you have any insight on the howling noise? I've also heard that it might be from the bearings inside of the trans starting to go bad?

[RED_DET]

The howling noise is just the nature of the beast. What type of clutch disc is this? Full pad, 6 puck/4 puck? Aggressive clutches are going to be noisy unfortunately.

[Pookie142000]

The howling noise started before I replaced the clutch... I've been told that its possible that it's the rear end or possiblly the bearing within the transmission

[RED_DET]

Interesting... Do you notice the noise only during driving?

[Pookie142000]

Yes I only notice the howling noise while driving, before car is completely warm'd up also when it is cold outside (no noise when its warm out 70+)
Also noise is present while 2000-3000 RPM, but go away as soon as I take out of gear while moving.

[RED_DET]

Well if it was doing it before the clutch/flywheel was replaced, then we can narrow it down to a transmission issue or differential. How many miles on the transmission? Has the fluid been flushed and new put back in?

[Pookie142000]

I just hit 101k miles, and I just had the fluid flushed on the transmission and the differential at the same time, and that was when I first noticed the howling... It would be a little bit easier to narrow it down if maybe I would of done each of them at separate times.

[Pookie142000]

I found a vid of what the noise sound is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNieOH_v5CE

[joe603]

That howling does not sound normal. Is it hard to get into 2nd sometimes? Could be a syncro. This is why I went to the 7-speed auto...

[Pookie142000]

That howling does not sound normal. Is it hard to get into 2nd sometimes? Could be a syncro. This is why I went to the 7-speed auto...

Yea I have trouble shifting into 2nd but only when it is cold. once it is warmed up then there is no problem at all....
do you think that it might be time for a rebuild?

[joe603]

If it's hard to get into second, the syncro's are going. That could be the sound you're hearing. As for the chatter, it's normal with a lightweight flywheel. My 05 coupe sounded like a dump truck.