"Sandy" sound coming from the transmission.

[Dan Werling]

Hey guys,

First off, I am a Ford Mechanic, I've had this car for 3.5 years, and I LOVE my car. So I am not new to this thing. With that said, about a year ago, my front motor mount ripped and needed replaced. I reinforced the mount and life was peachy. Last week, on the advise of a forum member, I removed the 2 top engine dampners for more room under the hood. Now, I think this is more of a coincedence than anything but now I have a noise. The car has always done this and I just considered it normal, but now its louder. When I let the clutch out and am giving it gas to get moving I hear what sounds like a bearing with sand in it. It only does it until about a second or so after I have let the clutch completely out. I can also duplicate the noise if I accelerate while the engine is under a heavy load, basically like if I have the car in 5th but only going like 25mph. I can get it to make the sound just a little bit. I took the car on a trip to florida, about 1200mi round trip. The sound has gone back to being quiet, but every now and then it will get louder. Its one of those noises that if you didnt know the car, you would think it was normal. I have never driven another MTX sho so I can't tell you guys if this is a noise that might be normal, just not as loud. The transmission and clutch/tob seem to work perfectly, no grinding in any gears. The trans fluid gets changed about every 20k w/ full synthetic fluid and the noise doesnt change w/ the clutch in or out.

Sorry for so many detail, but being a mechanic I like to get as much info as possible before I toss out an idea.

Any input is Greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[itwonder]

Maybe the rear motor mount or (less likely) transmisson mount?

 

[revhardSHO]

Good description, my black 90 mtx does exactly the same thing. Pretty sure its internal gear noise/clatter from the main shaft or a differential preload that's out of spec. -btw nice SHO

 

[hawkeye18]

Screw the SHO in the pic, that chick is HOT! lol sorry, no help on the noise though .

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

Sounds like typical tranny noise to me. If it only does it in the lower RPM's then it is probably just gear rollover, but what makes it get louder, probably a bunch of factors related to mileage. Unless your shift quality changes, then I wouldn't worry about it.
My 89 and 94 do the same thing, but I don't know why it would get louder then suddenly get quiet again.

If you made a drain plug for your tranny, try giving it a good flush, then change the fluid with some Syncro Mesh and add oil stabilizer.

 

[K-Dawg]

Every MTX SHO I've owned does that. I'm pretty sure it's the TOB releasing from the pressure plate fingers.

 

[stangeater]

Screw the SHO in the pic, that chick is HOT! lol sorry, no help on the noise though .

Co-Signed!!

 

[93rev2sev]

I've heard of it called "gear-rollover" before and they all do it. You will hear it more now that your mount has been "reinforced". You also might hear it more if you use low octane (read "more volitile") gas since it does not burn as smoothly as higher octane stuff.

Check your trans fluid level, also. Noisy transmissions are usually low on fluid.

 

[FrakensteinSHO]

Mine does it too. Every MTX sho made that sound. When my clutch went, I had a ASE master tech look at it and he said it's normal. This guys is a ford man and a damn good mechanic so i def. trust his word

 

[hawkeye18]

I still say **** or ****!

of chick!

 

[St Louis SHO]

Every MTX SHO I've owned does that. I'm pretty sure it's the TOB releasing from the pressure plate fingers.

I think its the spider gears. All of them I have own make the noise as well. Try changing the fluid, it may get a little better, but it will never go away.

We all have opinions, just agreeing and adding to what Kelvin said here.