Terrible noise

Ihave a 97 sunfire AT 2.4L and i get this terrible grinding noise when i shift the car into reverse. Sounds like metal rubbing along metal and it keeps getting worse. I'm now starting to get the noise when its in drive too. I have no idea where to start to look for this problem. Other than that the car seems fine whilst driving, i do need some shocks and struts so it shakes a little. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

And where is this coming from, we are a little handicapped regarding noises in this forum.

the gears could be grinding whenn first on their way to connection to spin inside the transmision(not sure wut else to call it) u got a manual right?

I dont know exactly where the noise is coming from, im thinking its in the transmission as it occurs most in reverse.
I have an automatic also.
My car doesn't have a transmission dipstick so ill top up that up but other than that i got no clue.

It sounds like two pieces of metal grinding together continuously and it starts when i put my foot on the gas, no noise in idle.
I would prefer to try and fix this now rather than wait until it explodes into an even bigger problem

so as soon as you start to move, it sounds like grinding metal?

does the sound change with speed/direction?

it started doing it only in reverse, and now its all the time?

Does it make the sound in drive with the brake pressed and just a little gas?

whens the last time you serviced the brakes?

did you check the axles?

the axle gears then im guessing

I dont even have to move, just as soon as i put the car in reverse with my foot on the brakes i hear the grinding noise.
Dont know about speeds in reverse obviously but in drive it goes away after a few miles of driving it after having it in reverse. Sounds fine as long as i dont ever go in reveerse.lol
If i keep my foot on the brake at this point and give it a little gas i still get the noise so speed/direction doesnt matter.
I only bought this car in august 05 and i live in MN so lots of cold weather.
My brakes were checked back in august but never checked the axles.
Thanks for all your replies.

you got tranny issues sounds like. Ever had the fluid flushed? sounds like you might be in for a new tranny soon. Get the filter replaced (do it yourself to save cash) and put fresh fluid in. If the sound persists, I'm thinkin you might be in for a visit to the trans shop. Now, it could be something else, but from what you describe, It might be something in the reverse/low (i think they are tied together, but don't quote me) part of the tranny. If you have to replace the tranny, get one from wherever (new, rebuilt, junkyard), but if you go junkyard, get a shift kit of some sorts (not needed, but a good idea since it's out right?), change the filter and use the premium trans fluid for best results. It could be an inner CV, but it's doubtful. It could also be a mount, again doubtful, given the circumstances.

Im not very mechanical myself and i would never be able to replace a transmission myself. You guys know how much it would cost me roughly to replace the transmission. You are right about my shifter sticking also.
How much would it cost to get a tranny flush, i dont feel like working on a car for hours a day in this weather.

around $125 to get the tranny flushed at like penzoil or lube stop (15 minute oil change place) I think.

The tranny would cost alot to have taken out due to the cost of the labor and time it would take. I got my motor and tranny out in an afternoon, it shouldn't take all that long it you have a haynes to follow.

For your best bet, dont go to the dealer, have a tranny shop or a small local shop do the work, the dealer will rape you and wont even call you for another date.