Transmission noise, revisited

raidmagic
raidmagic Senior Contributor
edited November 2012 in HUDSON
I started a thread on this before but I can't find it now. I have a 3 speed manual with overdrive and when off the clutch it roars, for lack of a better term, in first and second gears. Well I got a chance to actually drive it on the road today and through 1 and 2nd it made that noise but when I got to 3rd it was as quiet as a mouse. Why would it make that noise in 1st and 2nd but not third?

Comments

  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    edited November 2012
    You've got a bad bearing in the countershaft which power flows through for reduction in 1st and 2nd, but bypasses in 3rd. Reverse uses it too so ahould also be noisy there.

    It still turns, in 3rd, but isn't as noisy when it's not carrying power....but it will be if you don't fix it.
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    What kind of fix is that? Transmission out and taken apart?
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    A short nanswer.. YES
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    Awesome! that's what I was looking forward too....:D

    I don't mind pulling the trans but I'm not real up on the innards of them. Where can I buy parts for these trans?
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited November 2012
    Josh may have it correct, but I think you'll find that the front mainshaft bearing is bad. I replaced one in a friend's '49 a few years ago. Terribly noisy in 1st or 2nd, but quiet in 3rd. That's because in third there's little or no side-thrust on that mainshaft bearing, just simple straight-line torque. But when in 1st ot 2nd there's considerable side thrust from the countershaft gear. The bad news is that the transmission and bell housing have to come out and the tranny partially disassembled to get that mainshaft and bearing out.
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    OK Good info, where do I start looking for parts and are there any special tools required to take these transmissions apart?
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    edited November 2012
    Good info Park. A little less invasive anyway. Would reverse narrow it down?
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    You might do well to simply buy a used transmission in good shape and put it in. Or, buy one and disassemble it, inspect the parts, put in new seals and then switch it for the old one when you're good and ready.

    If you're not that much into working on the transmission, you might ask your old car friends in your town, who might be a good knowledgeable mechanic in your town, who works on older cars. Pull the trans out yourself and give it to him before the snow flies, so you'll have all winter to scout out the parts for it, when he informs you what's needed. Of course some of the bearings will be universal, so are still available. There are still a number of NOS Hudson transmission parts kicking around on the shelves of Hudson parts vendors. You can work up a want list and then mail or e-mail it to those vendors.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Josh, a test in reverse might pinpoint it, but reverse is typically noisy anyway, so might be hard to draw any conclusion. In any case, once the tranny is apart the source of the problem should be pretty evident. In the case of Herbert Bell's "Miss Daisy" car, which I described above, the mainshaft bearing felt like the balls were cubes instead!
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    Jon, I'm in Florida, the snow never flies. I have friends that can look at it for me I just prefer to learn and do things myself to add them to my skillset. Can you offer me some links on to where to find parts for these or vendor names for me to contact? Also I like your idea of an extra transmission, any leads on one of those? Thanks
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Most likely, and if you're lucky, the only things you'll need are the front mainshaft bearing and a transmission gasket set. NAPA and others have the bearing, Dale Cooper has the gaskets.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    The go to guy in the club for transmissions is Al Saffrahn in Maricopa, AZ. He has all of the parts and the know how to rebuild these transmissions. I had him rebuild the trans in my '50C6 last spring. It ain't cheap, but it works very well now!
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    OK I drove it some more today and it does it in reverse too so I guess I'll be pulling the tranny. I can't really do real driving with it yet as I don't have it registered yet. I'll be pulling the trans and figuring that out before I go much futher.
  • jjbubaboy
    jjbubaboy Senior Contributor
    edited November 2012
    Yes indeed! As Richard says, Al is THE tranny man! He did mine out of my 36T and although not inexpensive it works like a dream and worth every penny.
    He has parts too. You may also check with Dr Doug, if he doesnt he will know who does!
    Jeff
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