Rattling in 2nd or 3rd at low rpms

[BigFatFlip]

Just like a new parent, I think I've been extra sensitive about every little noise my car makes. I've noticed that when ever I'm in 2nd or sometimes 3rd, at low rpms (around 2-2.5k) I hear and feel a little rattle in the transmission, like something is loose and shaking around in there. I would guess that the gear isn't quite engaged, since I notice the same noise in my old civic when I don't get 1st in all the way. As I get up around 3k rpm, the noise slowly disappears. I'll be calling the service dept. of my dealer later today, but if anybody has some input, it will be well appreciated!

[Draco-REX]

Next time it happens, place your fingers on the reverse lockout ring and see if it goes away. Rattles coming from that ring are common in 6mt Subarus at low revs.

[MTeator]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Just like a new parent, I think I've been extra sensitive about every little noise my car makes. I've noticed that when ever I'm in 2nd or sometimes 3rd, at low rpms (around 2-2.5k) I hear and feel a little rattle in the transmission, like something is loose and shaking around in there. I would guess that the gear isn't quite engaged, since I notice the same noise in my old civic when I don't get 1st in all the way. As I get up around 3k rpm, the noise slowly disappears. I'll be calling the service dept. of my dealer later today, but if anybody has some input, it will be well appreciated!

Mine does it too, sounds like an old truck.

[vividracing]

How much load are you trying to put on the engine at those RPMs in those gears? Low speed, high load situations aren't good for any car.

[eriktherod]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Next time it happens, place your fingers on the reverse lockout ring and see if it goes away. Rattles coming from that ring are common in 6mt Subarus at low revs.

Speaking of, I always catch myself 'playing' with that ring when my hand is on the shifter. Not trying to pull it up, but just fidgeting. I know I can't be the only one... right?

I'm used to reverse gear being to the right and down of 6th, so this is somewhat new to me, but I like the placement more. Makes it easier to switch between 1 and R. Also like how the gear indicator shows R with a nice bold border, stands out!

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by vividracing

How much load are you trying to put on the engine at those RPMs in those gears? Low speed, high load situations aren't good for any car.

Not very much. I usually notice it driving around during slow city driving, right after shifting up from 1st after starting from a stop, like at a light or something.

[vividracing]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Not very much. I usually notice it driving around during slow city driving, right after shifting up from 1st after starting from a stop, like at a light or something.

Hmm, sounds like you're driving her right then. Have you ever heard clutch chatter? Sounds like what you're experiencing. If it's not the ring like others mentioned, I bet it's clutch chatter. I don't remember if our car had it stock... We've got the Clutch Masters clutch and flywheel in there now.

[blu_]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Next time it happens, place your fingers on the reverse lockout ring and see if it goes away. Rattles coming from that ring are common in 6mt Subarus at low revs.

Its most likely this. It can be very common and sounds exactly like the OP described.

[Zoomie]

Somewhere, on one of the sites I thought I read a service bulletin or something-of-the-sort that if customers complained of this to change to a different lubricant. I cannot for the life of me remember where I read this...

I think they also mentioned something about giving it to Zoomie so he could test thrash it for you also!

[Ishii Motors]

My car makes this noise under the correct circumstances. It's nothing that concerns me at this point. Sounds quite normal for the type of transmission.

The noise is from the transmission, not the reverse lock. It happens when traveling slowly at a load level that is almost lugging the engine.

I hope this noise doesn't become another BS warranty thing like what happened to the V160.... I'm sure that made Toyota upset.

Ishii

[FakeWhiteMan]

Originally Posted by eriktherod

Speaking of, I always catch myself 'playing' with that ring when my hand is on the shifter. Not trying to pull it up, but just fidgeting. I know I can't be the only one... right?

Nope, I'm always playing with mine.

[DragonPunch86]

I have this experience when I'm going too slow at a gear in which the car seems less comfortable in. I never imagined it being any sort of mechanical issue but more of just learning the car's behavior.

[Staticfrost]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Just like a new parent, I think I've been extra sensitive about every little noise my car makes. I've noticed that when ever I'm in 2nd or sometimes 3rd, at low rpms (around 2-2.5k) I hear and feel a little rattle in the transmission, like something is loose and shaking around in there. I would guess that the gear isn't quite engaged, since I notice the same noise in my old civic when I don't get 1st in all the way. As I get up around 3k rpm, the noise slowly disappears. I'll be calling the service dept. of my dealer later today, but if anybody has some input, it will be well appreciated!

Let us know what the service people tell you :S.

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by Ishii Motors

My car makes this noise under the correct circumstances. It's nothing that concerns me at this point. Sounds quite normal for the type of transmission.

The noise is from the transmission, not the reverse lock. It happens when traveling slowly at a load level that is almost lugging the engine.

I hope this noise doesn't become another BS warranty thing like what happened to the V160.... I'm sure that made Toyota upset.

Ishii

This!

I get the same thing when I up shift too early in the city. I just figure it's the car telling me to rev it more next time.