I think I hurt my trans during GONE

[Tommy G]

The car ran great all through Friday and drag racing. Made about 8-10 passes at Cordova without a problem and drove home great. Went to the car show event and it cruised really well. Until we stopped at the island. Did a couple of WOT runs thru the 2-3 shift after leaving the island stop then pretty much cruised the rest of the way. I did not notice any problems until AFTER the island stop. On the cruise home I could feel some slack in the drivetrain. It feels like there is a gap between the gears, between on and off throttle. Like if i'm coasting and pick up the throttle, there is some slack in the drivetrain that need to be taken up before power is delivered. And if I'm on throttle and let off, there is slack taken up before engine braking occurs. Sometimes there is a noticeable click as it engages. Also going from park to reverse or drive there is a noticeable clunk. Between Drive and Reverse with my foot on the brake there is no clunk and it seems fine. I put the car on jackstands today and inspected the driveshaft and axles and everything seems fine as well, no excessive play anywhere that I can tell. Everything runs true(no wobbles) with the wheels turning in first or second gear and the engine at idle(5-10mph).

I'm starting to think its in the input shaft or maybe sun gears. What should I do? I was thinking of trying the dealership before exploring any other options. Eventually I will probably go with a PatG tune and stall converter. So If I have to pull the trans, I might as well get the stall converter at the same time, but I'm pretty sure any dealer around here will NOT be mod friendly. I feel like I'm stuck between going big or going stock. lame :facepalm2:

[BigV8]

When was the last time you checked the trans fluid level? I'd check that next. Have you ever changed the diff fluid? This also sounds like what some have had when going to the camaro diff. The driveshaft center bearing? You said you checked that but I know its hard to see.

[Tommy G]

I thought trans fluid levels caused some shifting issues. But no, I have not checked the fluid. The car shifts fine once warmed up. It did have a minor 2-3 flare when cold, but it always was fine when warmed up. I will check it, but doubt its the problem. Never changed the diff fluid, but the car only has 17k miles and its all stock, so I never considered checking it. There is very little play in the driveshaft, axles or diff.


EDIT: I checked the fluid level and it was overfull. It was barely up to temp, pulled the plug and some fluid came out. Not a lot of fluid, just a small stream. I just reinstalled the plug quickly and left it at that.

[gtp6515]

Curious what this turns out to be.

[gr8lover]

I would not worry about it.... this noise is normal on alot of cars especially when they are all broken in...... I would try not to worry about it anyway.... if you checked everything out and all appears good on the outside with the driveshaft and the rubber adapters, then just go with it.... imo...

[Rawyzf]

This also sounds like what some have had when going to the camaro diff. The driveshaft center bearing? You said you checked that but I know its hard to see.

I'm having a similar issue, and I thought maybe it was trans fluid. I checked that, it's all good.

So, I am wondering if it is diff related? How can one go about checking the driveshaft center bearing?

[coops09gxp]

Hey Tommy, from what you are describing it me be just normal driveline noise. I just got mine off the jack from doing an inspection of everything and noticed some, not a lot, but some slop in the drive train. With the rear wheels off the ground, car NOT running I rolled the rear tire by hand and could hear a definate clunk. It has been there for a good time but today I just spent a little more time looking into the matter. What it is looking like on my car is that it is a combination of things. Very slight slop in the gears, cv joints, driveshaft and so-on. You add all this up and it can make a decent clunking noise when I roll the tire by hand. Most of the slop was at the mid bearing for the driveshaft. Mine never really did this till I started drag racing the car and the more that I have been to the drags the noise has pretty much stayed the same. If you have her up in the air again try that out and see if you notice the same type of thing. Also, if ya want get ahold of me and head over here sometime and we can get it up in the air and take a really good look at stuff. Hope this helps! Have a good one!

Tony

[Tommy G]

I haven't driven it again since GONE. I really think something broke. Going to put the stock trans tune in it and probably take it to the dealer.

[screaminChick-n]

Maybe other IA G8's can chime in and recommend you a dealeship to take it to. also I would take Coops GXP offer and have him take a look.

[coops09gxp]

Any update on the trans Tom!? Sure as heck hoping it didn't go south on ya!!! If you need any help with something let me know and I will try and assist the best I can. If you do have to pull the tranny for some reason let me know and I can help you out with that some weekend. It's not to bad to do but the top bellhousing bolt can be a bitch to get at!!! Hoping to hear some goods news from ya about it though!!! Keep us posted if and when you can!

Tony

[Tommy G]

No the car is still on jack stands. If you want to come over to check it out, I sure wouldn't mind your opinion on it. I'm off this weekend so if you get a chance that would be cool. I can give you a call/text if that's better for you.