Hi everyone.

I'm new to the list and this is my first post. I don't own a Camaro, but I have something very close. I have a 96 Impala SS with a T56 in it (yes, T56). It's number 83 on a short list of people worldwide who have a T56 on theirs.

I just recently had it put it in and the tranny was used but freshly rebuilt. I have only 500 miles on it, but there is some noises coming from the tranny every since day one.

1) At idle in neutral with the clutch out, it rattles (sounds more like a diesel engine). When I rev it at idle, it sounds even more like a diesel engine!

2) With the clutch in at idle in nuetral, nothing... Quiet.

3) Keeping in mind my tach is still off (reads double until I get the tach fix circuit), when I accelerate past the 2K RPM range (4K RPM on my tach), the rattle goes way. It's is almost non-existing past 2K RPM in 1st through 4th gear, but in 5th and 6th, I can still hear it, but it's more tolerable there (sounds more like normal T56 tranny noise than a rattle)

4) If I give the gas in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th and pass the 2K RPM range (4K on my tach) WITH the clutch slightly in (almost to the release point), it STILL rattles (no less and no more), so it doesn't seem to be related to the throwout bearing. Only when the clutch is ALL the way in (fully disengaged) will the noise stop.


I'm at a loss at this point. My options are as follows:

Work on removing the crossmember, pulling the tranny back and checking/adjusting the clutch fork. We're going to try to do this in the next two to three weeks sometime.

If that doesn't do it, then our next option is to contact the tranny shop that rebuilt it and see about a warranty on the initial rebuild (if there is one). I'm also having problems with the reverse gear. I have to make sure it "clunks" while tightly holding the shifter in R as I roll it back a few feet and then it's in all the way, otherwise, it'll throw the shifter back out at me. If the tranny shop will indeed warranty, then we pull it, put it on a pallet and send it back to them. They'll hopefully fix/replace it and then ship it back to me (they pay the return shipping, I assume/hope)


I've picked up on some of the posts about the shifter noise and insulating with rubber washers and/or gaskets, but I'm more concerned with the inside of the tranny at this point.

Any help you can provide would be great! If someone is local in San Jose and wants to stop by and hear it, contact me offline.

--Baz

 

That noise that everyones hears and says its the T/O bearing is actually the imput shaft assembely and bearings. Some trannys are louder then others. So my vote goes to the imput shaft bearings.

 

But the big question is...... is it normal?

Maybe I just need to drive more T56's and see what's normal and what's not.

--Baz

 

My guess is the pilot bearing, throw out bearing or the input shaft bearing and race. Could also be a combination of these... If you want to fix it you will have to take the tranny off to see which has play in it.

 

Yes its normal.. Some are a little louder then others and it gets louder with a aftermarket shifter/ short stick ( inside noise) If you pull the tranny and spin the input shaft you will hear the bearing making the Marbles in the jar sound. Ive never seen a T56 thats not like that. GM has even said its just a noisey tranmission and that growling noise is normal for a T56 and there is no true cure. GMHT magazine even had a small article about saying its normal and they have no cure for it but sometimes- not allways- that a new clutch and pressure will seem to make it better.
Welcome to the noisey T56 club.......Im currently a proud member.

 

get a bigger stereo baz!!! it's normal..