bernard farquart

I have an 84 that has grown a distinct "whirring" sound from the rear. this shows up while it is in park and neutral sitting idling in the driveway. I have changed out the bearings in the torque tube, but had to put it all together before I changed the two bearings in the transmission front housing holding the torque converter. (found a house, had to move, didn't want to try to move the beast in boxes) I am now changing out those, but am beset by doubts. Would a bad transmission 'whirr" in neutral? I have no transmission shifting problems to speak of. I guess I am just looking for is anyone's experience with what the bearings in the front of the trans sound like at failure.


Paul
'84s

hacker-pschorr

When you first turn the key (don't start the car, just turn it to the "on" position), listen very carefully - do you hear the same sound for a split second? If so, you are hearing the fuel pump.

Both of my cars are loud enough to hear them as you describe.

bernard farquart

no, much louder than that, I WISH it was the fuel pump!

atb

Bernard,

I'm in Tacoma. I've got a shop with a lift and will be there Saturday afternoon/evening if you feel like coming down. We can put her up in the air and track down the noise.

Call if you're interested.
(253) 229-8610

Mrmerlin

the sound your hearing is in the either trans front pump or the torque coverter bearings, a few others have replaced these parts and the sound remains it usually seems to make this noise in neutral, if you have fresh trans fluid and there are no leaks it will probably bo ok SO DONT PANIC......... as a side note old 2 speed power glides seemd to make similar noises in neutral

Bill Ball

I've had a whir or whine eminating from the drivetrain for over 3 years. It's only in park or neutral and goes away when the trans is in any gear. It hasn't changed character in that time. In fact, it may be getting quieter.

bernard farquart

it is now in the shop getting new torque converter bearings, I will update to let you all know how it went!

btw, it did not make the noise like this for the first year I drove it, and the noise is still constant in gear, so I am hoping it will be better with new bearings. I will feel awfully stupid if it still makes the same noise after.

dr bob

Pump noise can be loud, especially if the pump isn't set up properly and/or the position in the housing isn't just right. I haven't set up a 928 trans so don't know the particulars, but there are only so many parts at the front that spin when the car is in park/neutral. TC bearings, the TC itself, the pump, and the front shaft, and one shaft behind that typically. The bearings inside the case are flooded, and only seem to go bad when something else goes bad first.

bernard farquart

I am pretty sure it was not the pump making the noise. It got progressively louder over the last few months I drove it, and ended up sounding almost like a supercharger. I will update when I pick the car up (hopefully on monday)

bernard farquart

thank you very much for the offer, Adam, but I decided to bite the bullet and get it done.

dr bob

The 'supercharger' sound, where the pitch increases with RPM's, is exactly what front pump noise sounds like. Bearing noise is typically a fairly constant-pitch rumble that gets louder as RPM's increase. If the trans is out on the floor for your converter bearing replacement, you are 98% of the way to the pump for at least a look-see. If you need to, take it to a local M-B trans specialist for a look. When the pump finally decides to come apart or stops pumping, the consequential damage can be significant.

Rennlister Steve Cattaneo in New York (IIRC...) is probably the most knowledgeable of this online community regarding the auto trans. PM him and get his opinion. He's busy running his business and doesn't read all the posts, but will usually respond to an e-mail or PM.

bernard farquart

Update, for those interested.
I was told that the bearings in the tourque tube were "messed up" by the shop that has my car. So I went to look, and the tube bearings (that had about 100 miles on them) had walked the carriers toward the middle of the tube. Both bearings holders were next to each other in the center (more or less) of the tube. This car has not driven much since the tourque tube bearings were replaced, but has idled alot. (started once or twice per month to keep all fluids moving around) The only thing I can think would have caused this, is the bushings were a bit roughed up by the removal process from the original bearings, and I "clearanced" them a bit to get the shaft back in. I think they were no longer snug enough, and allowed the shaft to occillate a little bit. This must have moved the bearings together in the center of the tube due to the pattern of the occilating shaft. So, make sure that the shaft is tight in the bearings if you attempt this job.
The plan now is to replace the bearings (and bushings) in the tube, then "pin" the carriers in place with set screws from the outside of the tube.

I will update again at completion.

David L. Lutz

Any update here? My '97 has now started the "whir" sound and seems to be coming from around the torque tube area where it is mated to the Torque converter. It is present in park/netural but also when in gear and driving. Thanks.

bernard farquart

I picked up the car from the shop today. The noise is completely gone, so it was the torque converter bearings, plus the vibration from the drive shaft. Many thanks to Jon Moeller for his lightning fast delivery of two bearings and bushings to re-do the torque tube. Thanks to all for your suggestions and now I am on to the next thing. Broken Odometer, Driver's door handle, etc.etc.

I can at least begin to enjoy my shark once again.

Ad0911

Where did you get the bushings? I am about to change the bearings but was wondering if the old bushings would wsaty in place after putting them back into the torque tube.