Thread: Transmission growl

Hi everyone.
Looking for a confirmation of diagnosis and some advice.

2001 Sentra SE with PP (VLSD), 5 spd manual. 120k miles

I've recently noticed a sound coming from my transmission that happens basically as long as the car is moving and my foot is off of the clutch. I hear it the most when driving alongside a tall curb where the sound can reverberate back to me. It is the worst in 3rd and 4th, although I think it's present in all gears. As I push in the clutch pedal, the noise goes away.

My reading leads me to believe it's the input shaft bearing.

Of course there are many more bearings in the transmission! I want to assemble a parts list and tackle this thing on my own. Is it normally the input shaft bearing nearest the seal that fails? That seems to me to be the consensus.

While I have the transmission out, I'm going to do my clutch and throw-out bearing. Should I just change the friction disc or should I change the pressure plate while I'm at it? Plan to use all new stock parts.

First step tonight is to change my fluid (it is basically due) and make sure I actually have a decent amount of fluid in there. Even if it is low, I'm thinking by now the damage is done. There has been a little bit of fluid 'weeping' from the reverse idler gear cover for as long as I've owned the car. Not that it's wet, but it is always wet looking there.

Always change the pressure plate when doing a "clutch job". Also, have the flywheel resurfaced for best results.

Mine was the input shaft bearing, just behind the TOB. Open the case, check it out.