Transmission Whine sound when turning the wheel

[jaydubz]

OK, So I have asked about this problem before but it just doesnt seem right! It just seems more apparent that when I get into the car in the mornings I am getting the very dull sounding Whining noise as well as the "wirrr" "Wirr" "wirr" noise when I am backing out and turning the wheel.

I had overheard in passing that it was the powersteering pump, but it just doesnt seem to be correct. Has anyone taking their car in for this type of noise and what was the outcome of the problem? Is there a TSB out there?

 

[PCspeed3]

I dont really have an answer for you, but i know that all honda's make a funny sound when in reverse. But I havent noticed it on my car.

 

[gimpo2]

i don't have an MS3, but my car makes that noise and it is my powersteering pump making the noise.

I dont really have an answer for you, but i know that all honda's make a funny sound when in reverse. But I havent noticed it on my car.

thats because reverse gears are straight cut gears

 

[AAMguy]

powersteering...

 

[jaydubz]

powersteering...

But would it really be that pronounced and only when I turn the wheel?

 

[gimpo2]

But would it really be that pronounced and only when I turn the wheel?

the fact that it happens only when you turn the wheel screams power steering. and yes it is loud

 

[ericm]

OK, So I have asked about this problem before but it just doesnt seem right! It just seems more apparent that when I get into the car in the mornings I am getting the very dull sounding Whining noise as well as the "wirrr" "Wirr" "wirr" noise when I am backing out and turning the wheel.

Does it happen when you are turning the wheel, or when the wheel is turned and the car is moving? The former would be a power steering issue. The latter would be the LSD clutches "chattering" (although it doesn't sound like chattering to me, it's more of a groaning noise).

If you changed the transaxle fluid and the new fluid does not have the appropriate "friction modifier" for the LSD clutches, you'll get that noise. I had it quite pronounced when I put in Amsoil GL4, replacing with Redline made most of the noise go away (and the shifting was noticeably better as well).

 

[SHAGwagn]

OK, So I have asked about this problem before but it just doesnt seem right! It just seems more apparent that when I get into the car in the mornings I am getting the very dull sounding Whining noise as well as the "wirrr" "Wirr" "wirr" noise when I am backing out and turning the wheel.

I had overheard in passing that it was the powersteering pump, but it just doesnt seem to be correct. Has anyone taking their car in for this type of noise and what was the outcome of the problem? Is there a TSB out there?

Mine does this too. thought it was the mt-90 i put in there once but the noise continued after i went back to OEM fluid. Its just the way the car works.

 

[nig3]

Its not your transmission, it is your front brakes resonating loud as hell. sounds like howling and you can feel it in your pedals right? alot of MS3's do this when they are fairly new, the problem will eventually go away after the brakes wear some.

 

[TropicalDelight]

its the electronic power steering pump that is making the noise....there is nothing you can do about it. The noise may get louder over time or it may get quieter. Every mazda3/ms3 makes the noise, some louder than others.

 

[jaydubz]

Does it happen when you are turning the wheel, or when the wheel is turned and the car is moving? The former would be a power steering issue. The latter would be the LSD clutches "chattering" (although it doesn't sound like chattering to me, it's more of a groaning noise).

If you changed the transaxle fluid and the new fluid does not have the appropriate "friction modifier" for the LSD clutches, you'll get that noise. I had it quite pronounced when I put in Amsoil GL4, replacing with Redline made most of the noise go away (and the shifting was noticeably better as well).

Thank you for all for the responses guys, I actually have the MT-90 fluid in the car. Does the Redline fluid not contain the correct friction modifier?

Oh and by the way the noise never happens when I just turn the wheel when I am stationary, it becomes apparent when I am backing out or moving with teh wheel slightly turned.

 

[Crypt0wind]

Your hearing the LSD, caused by replacing the gear oil. It's a very common complaint after replacing the gear oil that doesn't have the right friction modifier ratio for the MS3 LSD noise free operation.

Adding fiction modifier will help.

I had the same LSD noise with new synthetic gear oil. I switched back to stock gear oil & friction modifier, no LSD noise anymore.

 

[jaydubz]

Your hearing the LSD, caused by replacing the gear oil. It's a very common complaint after replacing the gear oil that doesn't have the right friction modifier ratio for the MS3 LSD noise free operation.

Adding fiction modifier will help.

I had the same LSD noise with new synthetic gear oil. I switched back to stock gear oil & friction modifier, no LSD noise anymore.

So do you think I am causing problems with the LSD by having switched to the redline stuff?

And how do u propose I add friction modifier?

 

[bombermanx]

its the electronic power steering pump that is making the noise....there is nothing you can do about it. The noise may get louder over time or it may get quieter. Every mazda3/ms3 makes the noise, some louder than others.

MS3 uses belt driven power steering pump, regular 3 uses electric pump.

 

[Crypt0wind]

So do you think I am causing problems with the LSD by having switched to the redline stuff?

And how do u propose I add friction modifier?

Let me guess you noticed the LSD noise shortly <100 miles after you did the gear oil replacement. Shifting was fanatic, like butter. Pulling out of parking spaces and making tight low speed turns (wah wah wah LSD noise).

I'm not a expert, but yes you caused the noise with MT-90, just like the rest of us before you that didn't want to hear the LSD noise.

I'm sure there's a few people on the board with MT-90 & friction modifier that can help you DIY the job or talk the mazdaspeed techs, they have the secret MS3 formula (stock dino gear oil & friction modifier)

The noise will be gone instantly....

Good Luck

 

[jaydubz]

Let me guess you noticed the LSD noise shortly <100 miles after you did the gear oil replacement. Shifting was fanatic, like butter. Pulling out of parking spaces and making tight low speed turns (wah wah wah LSD noise).

I'm not a expert, but yes you caused the noise with MT-90, just like the rest of us before you that didn't want to hear the LSD noise.

I'm sure there's a few people on the board with MT-90 & friction modifier that can help you DIY the job or talk the mazdaspeed techs, they have the secret MS3 formula (stock dino gear oil & friction modifier)

The noise will be gone instantly....

Good Luck

Thank you Crypto! Ok here is my question and sorry for the noobness of it, but is the friction Modifier something additional that I
need to add or is it something that already comes with the stock stuff that the dealership uses?

Also, do you think I have damaged my tranny?

 

[ericm]

Redline sells the friction modifier.

When I put Amsoil (contains no friction modifier at all) in my transaxle I got a lot of LSD chatter. When I changed to Redline, about 80% of it went away. There's still a little. MT-90 contains friction modifier, but maybe not quite enough for our LSD.

I will probably get some friction modifier and try just a little. You don't want too much.

 

[Crypt0wind]

Also, do you think I have damaged my tranny?

No, your trans is fine with MT-90. I'd find expert advise on how much friction modifier to add.

 

[nig3]

i had the noise without changing my tranny fluid. try this please... next time you start to hear the noise, tap the brake, if the noise stops then its your front brakes howling because they are still fairly new, if not then maybe it is inside your tranny IDK It was the brakes making the howling noise in my situation and the problem went away after a few thousand miles. goodluck mayne.

 

[thibaug]

Let me guess you noticed the LSD noise shortly <100 miles after you did the gear oil replacement. Shifting was fanatic, like butter. Pulling out of parking spaces and making tight low speed turns (wah wah wah LSD noise).

I'm having a similar issue and my dealership is kinda stumped. The service manager says he's never heard anything like it.

The noise only happens when the wheels are turning moving forward or backwards AND the steering wheel is turned in either direction. The noise is pretty loud and speeds up if the wheels turn faster. Applying the brakes doesn't make it go away. The power steering pump was already replaced and didn't change the noise at all. They are pretty sure it's not the wheel bearings. The noise is louder if there's more torque applied. In other words, a fast take off makes the noise louder.

I can't remember the exact timing of when this started, but I'm pretty sure it was right after my transmission fluid was changed. Interestingly, there's an exact same car as mine at the dealership that makes the same noise. It still has the original transmission fluid.

Any ideas? (oh and sorry about the thread-jacking, but it sounds like the same issue...)