Alfa 105 gearbox whine
Discussion
I've got a S2 Alfa Spider Veloce, 1976
The gearbox has a very loud whine/tingling sound at idle in neutral which disappears once you engage the clutch. It continues in drive up to around 2k rpm then seems to go away.
The gearbox gaiters are part missing so there's quite a bit of noise getting into the cabin but this sounds way excessive and very much like a noisy bearing.
Initially I have dismissed the thrust release bearing on the basis that it ought to get noisy when loaded against the clutch whereas it actually goes quiet when you depress the pedal. I'm assuming mainshaft bearing but doing a Google seach throws up this issue as being relatively common and most are of the view it is likely to be the thrust bearing which does not really make sense to me.
The gearbox is otherwise perfect and even the synchos work properly.
Any thoughts as to the most likely cause?
The gearbox has a very loud whine/tingling sound at idle in neutral which disappears once you engage the clutch. It continues in drive up to around 2k rpm then seems to go away.
The gearbox gaiters are part missing so there's quite a bit of noise getting into the cabin but this sounds way excessive and very much like a noisy bearing.
Initially I have dismissed the thrust release bearing on the basis that it ought to get noisy when loaded against the clutch whereas it actually goes quiet when you depress the pedal. I'm assuming mainshaft bearing but doing a Google seach throws up this issue as being relatively common and most are of the view it is likely to be the thrust bearing which does not really make sense to me.
The gearbox is otherwise perfect and even the synchos work properly.
Any thoughts as to the most likely cause?
Lotobear said:
The gearbox gaiters are part missing so there's quite a bit of noise getting into the cabin but this sounds way excessive and very much like a noisy bearing.
Sorry I can't help with the whine, but you should make sure you the convex plates and the gaiters are in place, or there is a danger that gearbox oil could splash out of the aperture at the top.
We rebuilt a gearbox for someone who immediately complained about the box being whiney. I asked him if all the gaiters were in place and he told me they were so I asked for a photo. They were there all right but were in shreds. I sent him a new pair of gaiters and everything when quiet, both him (and presumably) the gearbox.
So start by replacing the gaiters. There are two rubber ones, one that fits onto the gearbox and keeps the oil fumes in and another that seals the lever to the floor. On some models these two are combined into one moulding. Finally, you have the vinyl finisher inside the car.
these gaiter keep an awful lot of the mechanical noise under the car where it belongs. You may be surprised...
So start by replacing the gaiters. There are two rubber ones, one that fits onto the gearbox and keeps the oil fumes in and another that seals the lever to the floor. On some models these two are combined into one moulding. Finally, you have the vinyl finisher inside the car.
these gaiter keep an awful lot of the mechanical noise under the car where it belongs. You may be surprised...
Mound Dawg said:
these gaiter keep an awful lot of the mechanical noise under the car where it belongs. You may be surprised...
I can attest to this. A year ago the gearbox from my Junior was dropped to change the end seals. After picking it up, my friend drove it to work (and the polisher) the next day. Upon arriving he went for a quick drive with a colleague when on of the gaiters came of. He s
t his pants, pulled over and called me - afraid the gears had shattered into small bits...He was able to drive it back to work and concluded the gearbox was working as it should, except for the awful noise. He noticed the gaiter was of, put it back and the noise was gone. I've driven it 3000 km since then
could gaitors also be a problem with whine at constant speed? also have a '76 S2 spider and after not using for a couple of months its developed a horrible whining on the motorway when cruising around 70mph. I also read that a stickier oil can also prevent it whining? Can anyone recommend one? Thanks.
edit
should i be looking at one of these?
https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/propsh...
edit
should i be looking at one of these?
https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/propsh...
Edited by george123 on Friday 15th December 21:15
If the whining originates from the gearbox and not the differential, a new gaiter might help. You first might want to check the gaiters that are on the car now for tears (they often do), otherwise new ones might not change anything. But before taking more serious action, looking at the gaiters is a wise call.
No idea on the oil. And yes, that's the one we're talling about.
No idea on the oil. And yes, that's the one we're talling about.
Edited by Scalino on Saturday 16th December 14:33
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