95 manual quad 4 noise when accelerating

[carl8911]

I have a 95 grand am quad 4 manual trans car that started making a grinding or clicking sound when accelerating out of 1rst gear, and then spread to the first 3 gears. If i take off real gentlly, the noise is gone or almost nonexistent. It happens any time i take off relatively fast. It does not do it while shifting the gears only after ive shifted and begin to take off. Is it my transmission, mount, shocks, brakes? I have absoulty no clue.

[Hoags]

Carl, you say that the grinding noise is not there when shifting, Do you mean while you have the clutch depressed it does not make the noise? Does the noise happen while you are letting the clutch out or does the clutch have to be all of the way out? Is it the original clutch? How many miles on the clutch? Have you had the trans fluid changed? In my 96 Quad4 manual trans there is a dipstick for the trans, I do not remember if the 95's have the dipstick if so check the fluid level. If no dipstick on the trans you can check the fluid at the trans, there should be a plug the screws out to check/add trans oil/fluid. you may want to start there, it may be low or just may need fluid replacement. If you can't find the plug stop by a quick oil change place and ask them to check it for you they may charge you a fee but if that is the problem it will cost less to do that rather than tearing out the trans. like I say it is a good place to start.

Welcome to the forum.

[skibum1111]

There is a dipstick on the 95's, its on the drivers side of the car towards the back of the transmission with a grey handle says trans fluid on it.

[gmack221]

sounds like CV joints going bad (axle shafts), sounds like they are dry and getting worse, does it make more noise when turning then going straight? If your trans fluid is ok and your clutch feels fine the CV joints would be the next place I check.

[carl8911]

The noise only happens while taking off with a little power. It is like a sawing or metal flapping buzzing reallly loud noise. I have noticed it more while turning. Once the clutch is released, and i take off if i give it gas it will begin to make the noise, the when i shift and the clutch is pressed the noise is gone. Then it starts up again when i accelerate. The noise is concentrated in the left front perhaps behind the wheel. Sometimes, when im accelerating and its making the noise, i will hear a pop like something fell off and the noise will get substantialy better or it goes away. Funny huh. From looking at other threads i agree with the cv joint theory.

[skibum1111]

Either that or its the differential inside the transmission. They make a hell of a racket when they fail. Try the cv joint first, they are relatively easy to change, if that does not solve the problem, its quite possible its the transmission. If you need to change the transmission, on the 95's they used an isuzu transmission, and it has to come from a 95. I replaced mine last summer, had to have it shipped across the country.