transmission? Syncros? Clutch? or out of my mind?

[adgates]

I think I have a problem. I have a 91 240sx with 148k on it. The clutch is 2 years old with 30k on it. First off I have noticed that once in a while, (cold and hot) When I engage into 1st from a stop there is a slight vibration or shudder. I took it to a transmission shop and they said it was fine and that it was possible that oil was leaking on the clutch. It still does it, but now there is another noise. After I've had the car off for awhile and I put it in 1st and engage the clutch. Right after I have totally taken my foot off the clutch there is a slight clanking or rattling noise. Not in any of the other gears. There is no slipage. I have no idea what this could be. If anyone has any ideas, that would be great.

[NISTECH]

wrong forum. will move.

It is not uncommon for first gear and reverse to be a bit stiff at a stop. it helps to slide it into a higher gear first to slow the trans revolution then drop it into first. The clank I doubt is from the trans unless you pressure plate might be loose.

[adgates]

The pressure plate being loose would make sense. What does this involve fix and do I need to work on it right away?

[NISTECH]

it means removing the trans and I will tell you that was a extreame guess. If the pressure plate where actually loose that would mean it was falling off and that would require immediate attention. There are other parts that react when releasing the clutch in first gear ,the drive shaft gets its first bit of torque when releasing the clutch in first it could be loose in the carrier mount and hitting up top, the axles get their first bit of torque when launching in first. try to isolate exactly where on the car the noise sounds to be coming from.

[adgates]

I don't know if this is related but my speedometer just went haywire today. It seems like the noise is coming from closer to the engine. I only hear it when i am accelerating in 1st gear after the cluth is fully engaged. Its a rattling noise. I have no place to work on my car or I would have looked underneath already.

[NISTECH]

definitly sounds to be in the clutch area. how does the clutch feel when shifting,is it normal clutch feel compared to other cars? it does it feel low at all?

[adgates]

I'm not sure what you mean by low. But it does feel really smooth when I shift and when it engages. I know they say if its a healthy clutch it will kinda buck when it is going into gear. It does not buck or feel like its grabbing very hard. There is no slippage. Do you think the speedometer has anything to do with it?

[NISTECH]

no i think that may be a coincedence

[adgates]

The rattling noise sounds as if theres a piece of metal loose somewhere. I only hear it in 1st. Think something could have come loose and knocked the speedo gear out or something? This is a new one to me.