Manual Transmission whine in 2,3,4

[DivideBYZero]

As title. Getting trans whine in 2,3,4 but not 1 or 5th. The fact it’s in some but not all gears leads me to believe it’s the gearbox and not the diff.

Oil has not been changed to my knowledge.

Anyone had similar?

 

[Ianmc]

No first hand experience on the Z3, but is the oil low (leaking?). Folks often say that a gearbox oil change makes a difference.

 

[colb]

Agree change the oil first to see if that makes any difference. Check what oil your gearbox takes, some use ATF, there was a label on the side of the box to tell you if its still there after all these years otherwise check the vehicle handbook.
You may find its never been changed as it was a fill for life item according to BMW as was the diff.
If the noise is still there after the oil change then I would agree its likely the box at fault not the rear diff. Bad diff bearings usuall noticable in all the gears at speed.
I would also change the diff oil whilst your under the car then you know whats in there.
Opie Oils list your 2002 2.2 as taking synthetic ATF or 75W80 Synthetic gear oil.
Check your handbook for the capacity it needs.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Thanks. I’ll get my trusted Indy guy to do oil in the box and diff.

 

[DivideBYZero]

OK, so he did the oil and it's not that. It looks like the front bearing, so the input shaft bearing. I'm having it overhauled and a new clutch and release bearing put in at the same time. The release bearing was a little whiny anyway.

This will be the only big bill in 5 years of ownership, so I don't feel bad. It's such a lovely example of the car that it's worth it for me.

The Indy doing the work even said he'd buy it if I was selling. Which I am not!

 

[DivideBYZero]

Oh, for reference, the trans is the GETRAG S5D 250G, and apparently these are prone to the front input shaft bearing going like this. Car is at 103k miles.

 

[Dino D]

@Lee has been having a look into these transmissions but the issue was on the output side I believe (too much play causing clunks)

 

[Lee]

Yeah done so much with both Gearbox's.

The getrag is the weaker of the box's and tends to suffer these issues. The ZF Box is the stronger and alot beefier. I have a spare Getrag in the garage in full working order, took it out the wifes 2.2 in Jan if you need another.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Yeah done so much with both Gearbox's.

The getrag is the weaker of the box's and tends to suffer these issues. The ZF Box is the stronger and alot beefier. I have a spare Getrag in the garage in full working order, took it out the wifes 2.2 in Jan if you need another.

That’s a shame, oh well. I’m committed to getting a proper rebuild done as I intend to keep this car for a long time.

Thanks for the offer of selling me the ‘box, it’s appreciated.

 

[Lee]

It's a big job if you plan to do it yourself, mind your eyes when the reverse arm flys out

I weren't going to sell it to you. It's yours if you wanted it.

Lee

 

[DivideBYZero]

Wow, that’s super generous. What a great community. Save it for the next poor S5D owner, though.

It’s going to a trans specialist, I’m to busy and ham fisted to do it myself. I only do electronics, plugs and oil on my fun cars. On the daily’s, the dealers do it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Ok, car arrived back yesterday at 4pm, just in time for this amazing weekend. Took longer than expected as some GETRAG parts were back ordered to Germany.

I subsequently arrived this morning at 5:30am from Dubai, so haven’t driven it yet. Will report back later today.

Summary of works:

- Full transmission overhaul and rebuild
- New SACHS Clutch
- new prop shaft coupling

Total bill for all work was £1250, the majority being the overhaul of the box. TBF, after owning this amazing example of a Z3 for five years, I don’t begrudge it one little bit, and the resale value just shot up, too.

Not that I’m selling.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Driving very well. The shifting is like a rifle bolt as all the linkages are refurbed. It’s still notchy, these boxes are, but that, plus new clutch and the coupling make the driveline feel very tight, just like new.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Update: there was still a whine at about 80mph (on my private airfield), so I changed the diff oil.

Fixed. Very happy.

I have the 25% locker FYI.