Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Transmission grind in 2nd?

I recently bought my 95 Contour, and I have been noticing a certain problem with the transmission-and it only seems to happen when I am taking it very easy off a start. I bring first to about 2300, then shift to second, and as I am accelerating slowly, at around 1750 RPM or so, I will hear a grinding sound-not very loud, but still audible, and I can feel it in the gas pedal. As far as I can tell, this is the only time this noise happens, and I can reproduce it consistantly. I have no other problems with the car getting kicked out of gear or anything. Anyone know what this might be?

Does it only happen the first time you start driving after starting your car. If it only happens once every time you start your car it's probably your ABS testing itself, and it's not transmission related it's speed related,it does it at low mph.

just my $.02

The MTX75 trans is know for 'gear rattle' shows itself with low speed shifts into higher gears.Does the trans rattle in neutral at idle? If yes 'they all do' its normal.

Wpg: Come to think of it, I only really ever test it out when I first get going-I'll have to try it once I've been driving for a while.

Terry: I'm not too sure on the rattle in neutral-I'll check that out too. Would this problem with the rattle into higher gears at low RPM occur at the same RPM every time in 2nd? I'll look into 3rd as well-because that would do the same thing, right?

Also, how much rattling are we talking about in neutral? it does it a little bit, the shifter will shake every few seconds, but i mean, the engine is running, and there's lots of moving parts, so I would just expect that.

I have actually noticed the exact same thing on the '98 CSVT I just bought. Terry, here's what happens - when you are letting up on the clutch in first gear with very light throttle (RPM probably in the 1500-1750 range, as mentioned) you'll hear a VERY soft grinding sound right near full release of the clutch pedal. It still feels smooth, as far as I can tell it's just a noise. If, on the other hand, you give it slightly higher throttle - say about 2000 RPM - you don't hear the noise. I haven't noticed it shifting into higher gears but that could just be due to the extra road noise. It's fairly hard to hear unless the window is open.
BB

Ah, the infamous "GEAR ROLLOVER" very normal for our cars.

What is the "rollover"? Is it something to be concerned about?

The MTX75 is a 'low drag' design, that is quite large clearences between the the input & output shaft gears,this reduces the friction factor between the meshing gears.At idle and some 'coast' or low rev situations the gears tend to 'rattle' or rollover,not a grind.Best test,drive into a fast food or bank drive thru,put the stick in neutral,let up the clutch,lower your window,you may hear a rattle that stops when you depress the clutch.As I said its normal for this box and can also occur when you pull at a slow speed in a gear that may be too high.Terry

Thanks Terry

If you worked here on commission, you'd be a very rich man and deservedly so.

MarkO