Audible shifter rattle
 

Sorry I had to start a new thread since some shifter threads were about the pattern cap coming off. I get this audible shifter rattle in all gears around 4000 rpm and up where it rattles during acceleration, constant throttle, and deceleration. I even took the shift knob off and it still rattles so it has nothing to do with the knob. Anyone experiencing the same thing?

Does it rattle even when you have your hand on the shift nob? I've never heard my shifter making rattle noise. I always keep my hand on the shift nob unless I'm just cruising at a speed.

Yes the rattle changes pitch if hold on to it.

FYI, I tried slowly revving to 6k rpm with my hand both on and off the shifter. It did not make any audible noise. The shifter didn't shake any more than when it's in neutral at idle too. I later tried going back and forth between 50 mph and 60 mph in 2nd (up to red line) on freeway, but it made no noise.

Thanks for testing it, maybe mine is an isolated case or maybe your engine runs smoother because of the fuel you use.

I have the exact same noise. Rattle comes from the shift lever starting from 4000rpms and up. Sound varies slightly depending on load & throttle.

Just picked my car up from the 1k service and they claim that it's 'normal'.

Tried removing the shift knob, even driving without it. With no knob it's a little quieter but still there.

I've popped the shift cap off and krazy glued it, still there.

Thinking of swapping shift knobs?

Noh I like oem. Also it has nothing to do with the knob.

I have a buzz/rattle too, but if I remove my knob the sound completely goes away.

Have you removed your knob during one of these events to find out if it is the cause? If it is, not a huge deal because it can be fixed with a aftermarket knob.

If it's still there, then you might have a potentially bad issue. If the knob removal doesn't fix it I would next try replacing the oem shifter bushing.

Yeah Hanso you're right, it's not the actual knob. Unfortunately that's just the only part I can fiddle with myself at the moment.

It seems more like the shift lever itself is transmitting whatever noise it is into the cabin.

Thinking that, other than something inside the transmission case, it might be the reverse lockout cable, or the shifter bushing, or perhaps some heat shield or something contacting the transmission. Really no clue though and the dealer wasn't helpful at all. Hoping you might have better luck having someone in the States troubleshoot yours.

At any rate it's annoying. If I can figure out how to get the centre console off I might have a peek but I'm no big time mechanic.

If the tranny goes...warranty. :)

PS, if you try revving your car up in neutral while parked can you replicate the rattle?

Also, oddly, mine only seems to do it once the car's warmed up. Doesn't seem to rattle at all first thing in the morning on my way to work.

It still makes the noise without a knob. I don't think there is anything wrong with the shifter bushing other than it's pretty stiff consider how much vibration our engine makes.

I don't think it rattles when it's not in gear.

I'm able to hear the rattle when revving the engine way up while in neutral. Blipping only - if I hold it steady at high RPMs I can't hear it.

I can replicate it easily and consistently at WOT from 5k up in every gear from 2nd onwards (1st too short and 5th and 6th too tall to be sure). Knob or no knob. Happens.

Could be shifter bushings but since our cars are pretty new stuff shouldn't really be anywhere near to wearing out yet.

At least I know I'm not the only one so thanks. The description of your shifter rattle sounds identical to mine and it's been driving me nuts since it's the only flaw with an otherwise perfect new car. Mine's had it since new as far as I can tell (although I didn't drive it hard until very recently due to the break in period).

Please do chime in if you figure it out (or the stealer does).

The only other cure might be a loud ass exhaust or something to drown out the rattle with more noise. :p

I've noticed the rattle too. Seems to be coming just from below the shifter boot where it meets the collar, since I can grasp the area with my hand and noise does change.

My stock knob never rattled, but the Flossy knob that I just installed yesterday not only rattled, but the custom engraving wasnt lined up correctly when the knob was completely tight. I fixed the rattle and the alignment by removing the knob and wrapping the shifter threads with some plumbers tape and then pushing a rubber washer from an old garden hose sprayer that I don't use down into the bottom of the knob. No more rattles, no accidental spinning, and its perfectly aligned now!

Always leave your hand on the shifter? I haven't pulled this transmission apart but I've built a few manual transmissions and often times the shifter forks are aluminum and the guide tabs of the fork that sit inside the collar will wear out REALLY fast if you do this. If the shift forks are steel then the wear will be less but conversely they will still wear and worse off could potentially create steal shavings which can shorten the life of the bearings and seals in the transmission. Overly worn shift fork tabs can lead to sloppy/difficult shifting, popping out of gear or the eventual broken shift fork.

I had the same habit when I was younger right up until I rebuilt my first transmission in tech school and once I saw how it all worked I treated my transmission very differently.


back on topic: My shifter rattles to and I really notice it because I have a steel slinky around it (with company logo) so that rattles too when I romp it and it makes a cool clanking noise during shifts.

So with your transmission experience why is it rattling?

Rice, thanks for the info. I now know not to do that anymore. :)

They just do? :iono:

S2000 experiences the same thing, or any FR for that matter where the shifter goes directly into the tranny without linkages or cables. Unlike a "shift by wire" or a FWD car with linkages or cables, the NVH of the transmission is transferred into the shifter. Shifter vibration is normal, unless it's "floppy", then you have other problems. :D

Shifter vibration is normal, but what about audible rattling?

I would say we should first identify "what" is rattling. This shifter itself isn't necessarily the culprit but something holding it or attached to it. It may be the collar used for getting the thing into reverse or it may be a plastic bushing.

Going back to the S2000, while the vibration is normal some of them had their plastic bushing crack allowing a bit of freeplay which led to rattling. Since these tranny designs aren't too far off from each other I'd say that could be a possibility (but I doubt it due to the low mileage of these cars).

Remove your center console and shift boot and go for a drive. You might be able to pin-point it that way.

It doesn't always rattle, only when it's warmed up.

I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about because mine does the same thing and I'm pretty sure I know where the sound is coming from.
It's from the reverse lockout ring/mechanical. I quite like it because it reminds me of my dad's '59 Corvette that also has a lever you have to pull up on to get the car into reverse.

I've also been hearing this
 

I've been getting a similar "jar of marbles" type of sound when I'm usually in 2nd or 3rd.

Mine's already in the Toyota service center for just about every other issue people have mentioned on the forum. I love the car, feels great, but I'm really surprised so many things got past quality control at the Fuji/Subaru plant.

Exact same thing here. Once warmed up the rattle is consistent from 5k+.

Anyone else with this problem?

For posterity

:thumbsup:

Any idea how to fix?

It's been about a month and a half and I had this issue as well as the plastic pattern falling off. Toyota replaced the knob, the original knob was threaded too far down at the factory so they opened a ticket with Toyota. The rattle they attempted to address by putting grease on a part below the boot that slides on the shaft. The mechanic says there is too much play in that part and opened a ticket with Toyota. Mine still rattles.

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I do not. I actually like the sound, so I will not be looking into it.
As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty standard on a transmission with reverse lockout. :happy0180:

Thanks for the info.

Updates or more info?

yea add me to the list of people who have this rattle. exactly as described. right at 4k rpm and going up. more noticeable in 2nd and 4th gear for me. sometimes it dont rattle tho but more often then not it rattles.

mine rattles but I found it to be the trim piece attached to the bottom of the oem knob (its a little stamped metal finisher that cavers the edge of the leather) I found that placing my finger against the base of the know stops the noise.

I put an extra hair tie around mine since I have long hair and they usually end up stored there anyway....

I have noticed the same noise in another FRS...but it doesn't help the people that claimed to have the rattle with knob removed.....

I Get this noise when i accelerate like im in to high of a gear. but im not

Has anyone tried this fix on the stock knob?

Mine i have this rattle sound when i put in neutral while im cruising and getting ready to stop, did some of your guys has this problem ? Ill post a vids so u can hear it

Mine is rattling as well. Taking it to dealer today with a list.

Hmm I have owned and driven a lottt of different cars with reverse locks and none had this rattle.

It's a resonant frequency from the gearbox, hope they can fix it.