Starting a couple weeks ago I noticed a new noise comming from my transmission. Shortly after, My 2nd clutch release fork snapped. I have the ACT2600 and 2 forks in 3 years is not so bad. The problem is, after having the fork replaced and missing a good chunk of my vacation, I still have the following condition.

Cold, everything is fine. Roll a few blocks and you'll be able to hear the gears messing in the tranny. Only 1st and 2nd gear, only warm. Chattering is an OK description, but it's more like you can hear the gears rolling together like you would on an old piece of farm equipment. No drivability issues at all, just the sound. I replaced the Pensoil 75W90 Synth (GL5) with the same, nothing on the magnet, no change in the sound. I have babied it, I have hammered it, no difference. It only makes sound while accelerating, never at cruise, never with the clutch in, never when "engine braking". At first I thought I had a problem with the CVs but it only does it in first and second. Turning makes no difference... Ummm... Ideas?

Thanks.

Could be bearings going... When you're doing clutch swaps look for back and forth play in the input shaft. Could be other bearings too, of course, but input shaft is common.
Only first and second is weird though. Could be something related to the shifting mechanism. Try moving the shifter around and see if it changes the sound.

Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned that pushing and pulling on the shifter seems to make no difference. If it was the input shaft wouldn't it make this sound in any gear? I'm thinking that 1st and 2nd must share a common shaft and that bearring is going. Thoughts? I do not know the inside of this transmission but that would make sense to me. If it is a bearring, is it better to repair the tranny or replace with a JDM (cost is a consideration, I just did a wheel hub, compression arm, injetor. I still have the ABS to fix. Cruise control is acting weird on occasion and sometimes will not engage. will check vacuum lines tonight).

Thanks,

So I talked to a couple different shops and everyone agrees there are bearrings going. Next question is, should I rebuild this tranny? It will cost about $1200CDN labour and tax in. Or should I seek out a JDM tranny (being careful about final drive ratio)? What would you do?

I'd just get a JDM and then drive the current tranny until it dies.. Then swap it.

Rebuilding costs more, and takes longer.

I wouldn't pay 1200 to rebuild it. I'd pay 400 for parts and rebuild it myself and know that I have a good tranny. Well that's what I did. Replacing bearings is pretty easy. But otherwise I'd do what Rob suggested, drive this one to death, then swap in a jdm.

Good place to call for a JDM? I have heard you have to be careful with Lucky Star... Has anyone dealt with Japan Auto Parts? I had two mechanics recommend them.

Wherever you go, make sure it isn't Tiger Japan Auto Parts!