Audible shifter rattle

[ATL BRZ]

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!

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

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.

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.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

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?

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Always leave your hand on the shifter?

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

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

So with your transmission experience why is it rattling?

They just do?

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.

[ultra]

Shifter vibration is normal, but what about audible rattling?

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by ultra

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.

[Hanzo]

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

[pyro530]

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.

[alrashwa]

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.

[ultra]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

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

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

[Hanzo]

Anyone else with this problem?

[empower-auto]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

They just do?

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.

For posterity

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by empower-auto

For posterity