Hey everyone,

I'm new to this forum so gimmie some slack here. I'm sure there have been tons of threads on the Getrag Rattle situation on the 5 Speed Getrag Transmissions in J-Bodies, After sifting through I didn't really see a clear answer on how to fix it in any way. Some people swore by B&M Trick-Shift Fluid but some others said it didn't help. I was wondering if anyone could provide a clear answer on this situation.

Secondly, I also read that there was a TSB for Cavalier Clutches, to fix Buzzing or Vibrating. Mine does neither, but when letting the clutch out in first or accidentally slippin it in another gear, the pedal seems to pulse, it also lets out really late, right about where the brake pedal is. :/ I figured this was normal as the car has 135k on it, but I'm not sure if the clutch is stock or if the previous owner changed it. This is my first manual car, I've had it for over a year now and I love it. I've driven manual cars since then and experienced no pulsating like I have in my car. Is this what the TSB addresses? the TSB I'm referring to is TSB #02-07-31-003A, which is to replace the Clutch Actuator Pipe. I cannot seem to find this part anywhere, except on GMPartsDirect.com, which classifies the part number as the Master Cylinder which costs $85, plus god only knows how much for labor to install.. Any insight to this as well?

Thanks in advance,
Alcolawl

The rattle issue, try draining all the fluid out and adding 2- 2.5qts of Dex III fluid and see if it improves. You can read my writeup on GM's fix for the rattle and why the fix is worse HERE But its only a particular rattle..

See if the rattle gets worse or better by driving in figure eights in 1st or 2nd gear. IF the rattle is worse while turning in one direction it is fixed by the GM wave spring fix in my writeup, as you will see in the write up though, leaving the rattle is a much better option then fixing it and ending up with a 3rd and 4th gear grind eventually. So you may have to deal with it.

If it makes no difference turning left, right or going straight, use the overfill I told you about... That should make the problem better, if not completely solve it. you can add up to 2.9quarts without issue although shift effort will increase..

The clutch pedal pulsation is likely a bent or misaligned pressure plate finger in the clutch, only seperating the engine and trans and inspecting the pressure plate for runout will tell.



Buildin' n' Boostin for 08' - Alex Richards

Awesome reply bro, thanks for the info. The transmission rattle doesn't really concern me other than it's ridiculously loud. Like I can hear it reverberate off of houses and buildings. Kinda embarrassing but definitely worth the trade off of having one of the most unique cars around here. I did get the fluid changed recently, with Dexron III and shifting was smoother but it didn't help the noise any. Although we didn't over fill it. Extra shifting effort is kinda dumb unless it's not too noticeable. How much of an increased effort are we talking about? Otherwise, I'll leave well enough alone. As long as this rattle isn't detrimental to the transmission

As for the clutch, It probably is the stock clutch but I can't be for sure, so you're probably right.

Try doing the figure eight thing and overfill it to 2.5 qts and see how it goes... The rattle may be related to the clutch issue.

Also, shift effort won't be that bad, it does go up, but it really just makes it feel more solid, more noticeable if you have a short shifter. If on a stocker you may not notice much difference. All it is is just the physical effort it takes to put it into gear.. think of how it feels in the morning when its cold compared to after you have been driving for awhile, that is shift effort.



Buildin' n' Boostin for 08' - Alex Richards

Just took the Cavy out for a spin in a nearby parking lot. The noise didn't seem to be affected by my direction of travel. So I'm stopping by the local shop tomorrow morning to throw some more fluid in it. I guess DEXRON-VI is the newest fluid? Not sure, but they don't make DEXRON-III anymore so I think #6 is what's going in there. I'm friends with the guy that owns the place, so it shouldn't be a big deal, although he mentioned that the notion of more fluid fixing a "rattling problem" sounds idiotic. How much fluid should I exactly put in? Remember I got the fluid changed recently, so I think the manual calls for 1.8L of Fluid in the Manual Transmission.

I put 2 quarts of B&M Trick Shift in the transmission when I did the swap and I can hear the rattle. Ive thought about adding a little more to see if it goes away.

The weird look on peoples faces going through a drive thru are priceless though.


"Oil Leak ? What oil Leak ? Oh, Thats Just The Sweat From All The HorsePower!!"

Hahaha that's pretty good, yeah I get some weird looks every now and then. Kinda wish I didn't :/ Should I use something other than DEXRON? You used that B&M that everyone swears by and it still makes a rattle? :/

Use Dex 6, it supercedes all previous versions and can be mixed.

I would add a half quart to your trans and see how it responds.



Buildin' n' Boostin for 08' - Alex Richards

Alex Richards wrote:Use Dex 6, it supercedes all previous versions and can be mixed.

I would add a half quart to your trans and see how it responds.

Ok DEX 6 sounds good, but the local mechanic is worried about my transmission actually being harmed by this operation. Not the Mixing of fluids, but the overfilling aspect. He said "I'm afraid of your transmission blowin the f**kin seals out of it." and then what followed was something about extra stress on the transmission basically. He got me thinking.. So I'm really eager to solve this problem, I just wanna make sure that doing this won't cause more problems than it solves :/

Alcolawl wrote:

Alex Richards wrote:Use Dex 6, it supercedes all previous versions and can be mixed.

I would add a half quart to your trans and see how it responds.

Ok DEX 6 sounds good, but the local mechanic is worried about my transmission actually being harmed by this operation. Not the Mixing of fluids, but the overfilling aspect. He said "I'm afraid of your transmission blowin the f**kin seals out of it." and then what followed was something about extra stress on the transmission basically. He got me thinking.. So I'm really eager to solve this problem, I just wanna make sure that doing this won't cause more problems than it solves :/

Your mechanic is ill-advised... The trans is vented, adding more fluid makes no more vapor in the trans then the recommended fluid. Hell, GM has a TSB instructing to overfill to 2.9qts...

You have nothing to worry about. If your seals are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.



Buildin' n' Boostin for 08' - Alex Richards

Alex Richards wrote:

Alcolawl wrote:

Alex Richards wrote:Use Dex 6, it supercedes all previous versions and can be mixed.

I would add a half quart to your trans and see how it responds.

Ok DEX 6 sounds good, but the local mechanic is worried about my transmission actually being harmed by this operation. Not the Mixing of fluids, but the overfilling aspect. He said "I'm afraid of your transmission blowin the f**kin seals out of it." and then what followed was something about extra stress on the transmission basically. He got me thinking.. So I'm really eager to solve this problem, I just wanna make sure that doing this won't cause more problems than it solves :/

Your mechanic is ill-advised... The trans is vented, adding more fluid makes no more vapor in the trans then the recommended fluid. Hell, GM has a TSB instructing to overfill to 2.9qts...

You have nothing to worry about. If your seals are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.

Alright man, you've been a huge help. I'll let you know how it goes Tuesday. I'm gonna pick up some DEX 6 from the autozone across the street from the mechanic and use that instead.

Now that's some good advice we all look for when we sign up for a profile!

I just picked up 3qts of the B&M synthetic trick shift. If I get time tonight at work ill swap out the oil and see what happens. I will report back with results.

Side note, My father works on a Military base and on the rare occasion he takes my cav, says the MP's faces are priceless. Car sounds like a diesel Yugo coming towards you.

Just a heads up, The overfilling to 3qts of B&M trickshift does eliminate the rattle almost completely! Ive been driving the last two days with the windows down anytime I am in 1st or 2nd gear. You can still hear it if your really lugging the engine but normal driving is finally quiet Ive been listening to this since 2003 its so nice to have it gone.