Thread: Driveline/ Gearbox Noise when Unloaded in 6th

Mine made a very similar noise. It turned out to be a rear diff which started to eat itself when bolts fell off within. See my thread on driveline noise when foot off accelerator.
Rear Diff replaced under Warranty.

Good Luck!

Hi Bobby,

My 2 cents, you have a shot 6th gear. Extend your research to the Ranger forums. Lots of complaints about broken manual boxes which you might recognise a similar symptom. Ranger owners complain about 6th failing in the MT82 when towing or carrying weight. You, my friend, qualify for carrying excess weight and if you lug in 6th you are a candidate. Unfortunately replacing 6th is a full rebuild. When i was researching the 3.2 conversion i was told by Ashcroft there is no upgrade to the MT82 to strengthen it. Might be different with the passage of 24 months so worth asking the Q.

I would have thought that a rear diff under coast would be noisey in every gear. More noticeable at higher speeds the higher gears but the symptoms wouldn't differ between gears. I have a noisey rear diff and taped my iPhone to the diff housing and went for a drive to record the sound. Bill from GBR thought i was nuts but appreciated the accuracy of the information.

Originally Posted by MLD

Hi Bobby,

My 2 cents, you have a shot 6th gear. Extend your research to the Ranger forums. Lots of complaints about broken manual boxes which you might recognise a similar symptom. Ranger owners complain about 6th failing in the MT82 when towing or carrying weight. You, my friend, qualify for carrying excess weight and if you lug in 6th you are a candidate. Unfortunately replacing 6th is a full rebuild. When i was researching the 3.2 conversion i was told by Ashcroft there is no upgrade to the MT82 to strengthen it. Might be different with the passage of 24 months so worth asking the Q.

I would have thought that a rear diff under coast would be noisey in every gear. More noticeable at higher speeds the higher gears but the symptoms wouldn't differ between gears. I have a noisey rear diff and taped my iPhone to the diff housing and went for a drive to record the sound. Bill from GBR thought i was nuts but appreciated the accuracy of the information.

I think you might be right Mark...I was struggling to reconcile the rear diff issue that Rolly had being the same on Monty on the basis that it's only on unloading 6th gear that I get the noise and the fact that the rear diff only got put back together with an ATB a couple of thousand easy kms ago.

The car is 3 tonnes so yes, he's a bit on the gentlemanly side of 'svelte' and while I don't lug 6th gear these days, I did used to when I first had the car so perhaps it is indeed a shot gear.

Everytime I look like getting the last fix paid off, Monty kicks me right in the Jatz...

Originally Posted by The Cone of Silence

Every time I look like getting the last fix paid off, Monty kicks me right in the Jatz...

I feel your pain. Drove back from VHC on Sunday night and at Goulburn for fuel she wouldn't idle (stalling). Nursed her home and on the way home last night it stalled at a major intersection in Wollongong. Wouldn't start. Had to push her out of the way then flat bed her to my mechanic. Add insult, the Audi is in the workshop for a gearbox rebuild. 2 cars, both expensive, none working.

Originally Posted by MLD

2 cars, both expensive, none working.

Ouch.

If it was rattling when idling in neutral I'd suspect the clutch springs, but that doesn't sound like your symptoms.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

If it was rattling when idling in neutral I'd suspect the clutch springs, but that doesn't sound like your symptoms.

Correct mick, idling in Neutral even at that speed is fine in terms of noise. It's only when I'm in 6th gear, all pedals are free from feet and there's no load on the drive. Clutch was replaced not that long ago.

I almost wish it was a diff - all three would be under warranty!

If it is indeed a gear and the box needs a rebuild, it it safe to assume it's worth replacing clutch and slave cylinder while the box is out?

if it is a gearbox, the manual from a BT50 and Ranger is the same box so you might be able to save $$ by hunting down a box from a wrecker if you are willing to take a risk on its history. I'm using Wollongong Automatics and impressed by their customer service and knowledge. They have a few ZF 6HP26's laying around if you wanted to go auto. There are adaptors for the LT230 floating around.