[Shop-talk] Manual transmission issue???

Sun May 25 08:25:09 MDT 2025

I put that query to Google 'AI' and got at least one suggestion that 
isn't likely: synchronizers. This isn't likely because synchros are only 
in action when you engage the gear, and the usual symptom is hard 
shifting. So, I'll throw my semi-educated guess in (Disclaimer: I've 
only rebuilt a couple transmissions, both std/manual).

First, though, some questions: /Why did she take the car to a shop in 
the first place?/ For the 'whirring noise?' Did the noise just start, 
she just noticed it or was it noisy after she got it back from the shop, 
but not before? Was it there after she got it back, but it was tolerable 
and got worse over a year? I don't know what a shop could do to cause a 
gearbox to /start /making noise that wouldn't cause serious damage. 
Maybe put bad/wrong fluid in or, a deliberate act of sabotage like 
putting some kind of abrasive in the box.

Knowing these would help a bit, but my guess is bearing/s, either 
input/output or layshaft (though I wouldn't expect that on a maintained 
box before at least 100K miles). A good/honest shop would stand by their 
work, if they did anything, and the best ones would rebuild the box, and 
not just throw a junkyard box in there; getting the box out/in is the 
hardest work, going through a manual on the bench is /almost/ fun. If 
you're able, I'd try a fluid change and put one of the better synthetic 
fluids; Redline and others make some good ones.

My most recent experience with a transmission was with my '96 Ranger 
(3-spd auto with overdrive and 134K miles). Started not shifting, 
holding a gear, etc. so I took it to a local shop, who didn't say off 
the bat I needed a transmission, but did some diagnosis (then they told 
me). It needed a complete rebuild, which cost me $3,500 but the truck's 
worth it, and they showed me the worn/replaced parts. They insist I 
bring it back in in a year for service to keep the warranty, which seems 
reasonable (there will likely be some clutch wear-in and a new filter 
and fluid would be in order). They also told me the Rangers used the 
same gearbox as Pintos, which chafed my hide a little (thanks, Ford ;).

Kudos to the lady for 'driving a stick.'

Bob

On 5/25/2025 6:21 AM, Eric Russell wrote:
> I put < /2017 Jeep Patriot with a 5 speed manual transmission makes a 
> 'whirring' sound when driving in 3rd gear or higher / 
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=2017+Jeep+Patriot+with+a+5+speed+manual+transmission+makes+a+%27whirring%27+sound+when+driving+in+3rd+gear&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS1160US1160&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8>> 
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=2017+Jeep+Patriot+with+a+5+speed+manual+transmission+makes+a+%27whirring%27+sound+when+driving+in+3rd+gear&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS1160US1160&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8> 
> into Google and got lots of 'hits'. I did not search for an actual 
> answer but maybe it's in there somewhere...
>
> EjR
>
> On Sun, May 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM Moose <eric at megageek.com> wrote:
>
>     Braintrust,
>
>     I don't mess with transmissions at all, so I'm in the dark here. 
>     Hopefully someone has the answer and it's an easy fix.
>
>     The issue,   2017 Jeep Patriot with a 5 speed manual transmission
>     makes a 'whirring' sound when driving in 3rd gear or higher.
>
>     Started about a year ago, when car was picked up from a franchise
>     mechanic shop.  (owner of car is a single woman without much money.)
>
>     When she called them back they where like, "Well, we would have to
>     charge you to look at it."  So since she already suspected they
>     caused the issues, she didn't want to give them more money.
>
>     She brought it to another shop and they said, "You need a new
>     transmission."  That will more than likely exceed the valve of the
>     Jeep. So they just did a fluid change, and that was it.  Note, in
>     their carfax report, they listed that they "installed a new
>     transmission" in addition to the fluid change, so I don't trust
>     them either.
>
>     It's a manual 5 speed.  I checked the fluid level and it is
>     exactly where it should be.  So I did a road test.
>
>     Here is the crazy part.
>     There is NOTHING that I can feel that would indicate any
>     transmission problems.  No slipping, no chucking, it shifts smooth
>     and pulls strong.  No vibrations.  The only thing is that noise,
>     and that ONLY happens when you give it throttle.
>
>     So if you are going down the street at 50, and take your foot off
>     the gas pedal, noise goes away. If you just give it a little gas,
>     noise returns.
>
>     If you have it in neutral coasting, no noise.  If you are engine
>     braking, no noise. The noise is ONLY if you have your foot on the
>     gas in the slightest.
>
>     Note, there is also no noticeable noise in 1st or 2nd gear.
>
>     I am thinking that the original shop did something to the car to
>     make it start this noise, knowing she would take it back there to
>     get it fixed and that it's a simple fix.
>
>     I would love to be able to fix this as it is a hard working girl
>     that doesn't have much money and really takes care of her car. 
>     She is also a good friend of my fiancee, so it would be bonus
>     points for me. 8>)
>
>     Thanks and I hope everyone takes a moment to think about all the
>     Soldier's that gave their lives to protect our freedoms, (no
>     matter what country you are from.)
>
>     Have a great weekend!
>
>     Moose_______________________________________________
>
>     Shop-talk at autox.team.net
>     Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
>     Suggested annual donation  $12.96
>     Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
>     http://autox.team.net/archive
>
>     Unsubscribe/Manage:
>     http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/ejrussell61@gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk at autox.team.net
> Donate:http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Archive:http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/bspidell@comcast.net
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk/attachments/20250525/368f46e1/attachment-0001.htm>