Clicking From Transmission Area While Coasting

Joined
30 April 2004
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368
Location
Northern Virginia
I have an '03 NSX with 60k miles. I noticed this a few weeks ago, and don't recall if it's always been there or if it's new. I have a light ticking/clicking sound coming from the transmission area while coasting- higher rpms, removed targa, and/or stereo all mask the noise, but found out after driving casually with the radio off. As soon as any throttle is applied, the sound goes away. The sound occurs while in gear and in neutral, is speed dependent, and occurs multiple times (3-4?) per revolution (found out under the car- spin the wheels hard and can hear it faintly). The only thing I've done is a transmission fluid change with Redline MTL filled to proper levels. I've gone under the car and checked for any boot issues, grease leaks, etc., as well as axle nuts. Everything looks fine- noticed sound after a safety inspection at a performance shop where it passed with no issues (that's why the stereo was off).

Any suggestions? Is this normal?
 
Check the right inner CV Boot for leaking grease.

Regards,
LarryB
 
If the sound appeared right after the MTL fluid change I would swap it out for the Honda MTL(white cap). The Redline stuff you bought might not have the right friction modifiers for the differential clutch plates.
 
If the sound appeared right after the MTL fluid change I would swap it out for the Honda MTL(white cap). The Redline stuff you bought might not have the right friction modifiers for the differential clutch plates.
I just noticed the sound about a year after the switch. Can the fluid really affect it that much? I'm hoping so- that'd be a real easy fix... The sound is coming from the transmission/differential area, which is why I checked the fluid level again. I might change it again just in case.
 
I have had a couple vehicles with LSD's that were sensitive to the fluid in the differential. The NSX and a 94 Camaro Z28. On the Camaro, when I switched the diff. fluid it made a clicking sound until I added a tube of friction modifier.

On the NSX, I tried some Motul MTL and I had odd sounds whenever I turned(was more like scraping than ticking) but the sounds went away immediately as soon as I changed back to Honda MTL.

Something else to check would be your rear axle spindle nuts. If they are even a tiny bit loose you can get some odd clicking noises(somewhat common on Corvettes as well).
 
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I switched the MTL back to Honda, which seemed to improve the symptoms. However, I found out that the issue wasn't solved the hard way, when 2nd gear ripped apart in a loud crunch, pop! :eek: It has now been re-built by SOS (thanks for the service!), and is waiting to be re-installed. Unfortunately, it's been out for almost a month, and I'm getting jittery for an NSX fix... :frown:
 
Did SOS or you have any idea why 2nd gear ripped apart? You never hear of that happening on these cars, especially with only 60K on the odo. :confused:
I don't know what happened. It didn't sound like they knew the cause either. The shop that removed the transmission was guessing either the shift fork was damaged or the synchros were, but SOS would have had the best look.

I autocross the car, but all shifts seemed to be normal (I'm not grinding gears). I've autocrossed manual transmissions throughout the past 5 years or so (this is the 3rd car I've autocrossed) and have driven manuals for about 10 years now, so I'm not a shifting newbie. I'm wondering if a previous owner banged it around...
 
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I'm also having a weird clicking clunking noise under deceleration and it sounds like its from the passenger side...it gets louder under spirited acceleration and the noise continues till a dead stop.
 
Mike, Larry's advice of checking the right CV is probably valid here.

If yours is happening all the time (acel and decel) it should be possible to pinpoint it while the car is running on a lift or jack stands
 
Mike, Larry's advice of checking the right CV is probably valid here.

If yours is happening all the time (acel and decel) it should be possible to pinpoint it while the car is running on a lift or jack stands

yeah i'll try and do that today, drove the car yesterday and it makes the clunking noise on the passenger side when i'm accelerating slow and decel in gear and in neutral.
 
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