Chatter/grinding noise when cold and working clutch in 1st and 2nd

[USAFVMI08]

Hey all,

I've noticed lately that when my car starts up cold in the mornings and I'm starting from a dead stop, I hear a really bad chattering/grinding noise coming from the right side of the car. It sounds like it's coming from the back somewhere but lately it seems that it's progressing up toward the front of the car. It only happens in first and second gear when I'm working the clutch in and out and stops when the clutch is fully engaged or disengaged and doesn't do it when the car is warmed up. I'm thinking either a bad axle or possibly my rear diff but that wouldn't explain why the noise is moving up front.

The car has around 59,000 on the clock right now and I'll be servicing all the fluids within the next 1,000 miles or so and replacing everything with synthetic stuff. Trans, rear, and transfer case have not been serviced since I've had possession of the car (bought it July 2008 with 28,000 on the clock).

Please let me know what you all think. Thanks!!!

 

[USAFVMI08]

Anyone?

Bueller?

 

[USAFVMI08]

64 views and not a single response... Okay then. Guess I'll try elsewhere.

 

[andyandy]

I've been having a similar issue as well. Mine makes a noise similar to what you described from the front passenger side. It happens mostly in the morning when the car is cold and when I'm a little rough with the acceleration or when i'm decelerating with the car being in gear.
Took it in to get it checked out cuz I thought it was a bad mount somewhere but all the mounts were fine. The mechanic was saying maybe it's a random rubber bushing somewhere but he wasn't sure either.
Sorry I didn't have a solution but just wanted to let you know that you weren't the only one.

 

[USAFVMI08]

No, actually I'm glad I'm not the only one having this issue. The noise and circumstances you are describing are the same as what I'm dealing with.

Thanks for the input!

 

[desertmike680]

I am experiencing the same noise as well. To me it sounds like a clunk on cold starts and turn offs as well. It does disappear when the car reaches proper operating temp. Same place too, front passenger side. Kinda odd. I'm not even bothering taking it to Mazda. They wont duplicate the issue.

 

[batou079]

i dont have quite the same i dont think...
but when i shift from 1st to 2nd, clutch fully engaged and engine temp is still cold, i grind gears pretty bad.
Clutch still fully engaged i have to let off into neutral for a second, THEN shift.

Once at normal operating temps, it stops. At first i was thinking syncro issues, somehow the cold is affecting it. But like desertmike says the dealer aint gonna duplicate this issue.

So for now i simply let my car warm up a bit longer, which totally negates this problem.
Im taking my car in a month before my warranty is up to have them check the rear diff so mebe i can convince em to check out the tranny too...

 

[andyandy]

hopefully someone can find out what this is since it's kinda annoying. sounds like the car is about to break!

 

[Shagate]

I noticed this a few days after I had picked up my car from the dealer, had it checked by two dealers and they both said it was "spring noise". I noticed it only happens when the front right of the car goes over a bump on cold mornings. Been a few years now, never had any issues with the car.

 

[Blendercloud]

I was having a similar problem and had to adjust the clutch and pedal. The clutch was not completely disengaging. I never got it fully corrected with the OEM clutch, but it was much better after adjustment.

 

[DeeZ NuttZ]

Just took mine to the dealer today for the grinding issue. The tech's changing the tranny fuild to the synthetic motorcraft. Aso check your axel seals as they could be leaking and causing your fliud to be low and thus grind.

 

[Blendercloud]

Axle seals are all good for me. I'm also running synthetic and was at the time as well. I would be surprised if this fixes the issue for you.

 

[FORZDA 1]

I've been having a similar issue as well. Mine makes a noise similar to what you described from the front passenger side. It happens mostly in the morning when the car is cold and when I'm a little rough with the acceleration or when i'm decelerating with the car being in gear.
Took it in to get it checked out cuz I thought it was a bad mount somewhere but all the mounts were fine. The mechanic was saying maybe it's a random rubber bushing somewhere but he wasn't sure either.
Sorry I didn't have a solution but just wanted to let you know that you weren't the only one.

FYI, the upper right (passenger side) motor mount is a known failure item that causes these types of noises. It is a fluid (oil) filled mount. I wouldn't let the dealer off the hook so quickly under warranty. You can test it yourself by lifting the motor slightly with a floor jack and squirting motor oil under the top hat in the evening and try it the next morning....

 

[andyandy]

Thanks for the info on the upper motor mount! I'll have it checked out next time when the car is in the shop. I'm not covered under warranty anymore tho...

 

[baja2700]

are you sure its from the clutch this chattering noise can also be a clogged oil passage=not enough oil to the top of the motor.