exhaust, tranny, or clutch?

[XTheMachineX]

i noticed recently that when i have my car in idle(92 mtx) i can hear a rattling sound from underneath the car, i raised the car and i'm 99% sure the sound is coming from where the performance y-pipe and the stock cat back(which is a little rust by the way) connect. now here's the weird part, when i engage the clutch to accelerate, the rattling all but goes away, so i'm thinking it could be a clutch problem, or even worse a tranny problem. the only reason i'm not sure it's one of those is because the sound is coming directly from where the y-pipe and cat back connect. any ideas?

 

[SHO#7]

Well with the car at an idle and the clutch out, the imput shaft is still turning the transmission internals. Not all of them, but there is movement. To me, it is doubtful that it is your transmission.

As for an exhaust leak can you see any black sout (sp?) That is a common factor to look for when trying to find an exhaust leak.

The throw out bearing will make noise when the clutch is pushed in.

Mike

 

[platoribs]

The heat shields on the cats frequently make a buzz or rattle depending on the RPM.

Fire it up and start poking stuff with a stick to see if you can make it stop or get worse. Do not use this proceedure on the cooling fan though!

 

[Ishodu]

My bet its the shifter. Take off the rod shifter clean up and lubricate the slider where the 2 8mm studs attach it to the body of the car.