S13 phantom noise issue

[Righthand180]

Ok so I have 92 180 and couple of days I started to hear a rattling sound coming from somewhere under the car. At first I thought it was an exhaust leak somewhere around my down pipe or cat. But when I got under the car I checked out the exhaust system from the turbo back and everything seems to be ok. The gaskets are a little worn but nothing major. Drove around a bit more to pin point the noise and I noticed it only happens when the car is in gear and under load. As the revs get higher the noise starts to get a little lighter but is still there. Oh I also check the chains and rockers, those are good to go.

I’m thinking something in my tranny. Any ideas?

[slider2828]

Material in the cat is loose?

[Righthand180]

I was thinking that but nope. I checked it when I pulled the exhaust last night. Plus if something was in there I would think it would still rattle while in neutral. The sound only happens when in gear.

[slider2828]

Hmmm. There is more vibration during driving the neutral of course... When you took off the exhaust, did oyu shake the cat to see if it made noise... maybe you can test drive it without the exhaust to see if you can hear the noise....

[Righthand180]

No noise from the cat when I took it off. That thing is a wind tunnel, completely empty. I was reading that it might one the bearings in the tranny or something loose on the pressure plate.

[240sxxs]

maybe cemen mixer ???

[lazysk8er2]

could be a tranny mount? use a crowbar to check tightness.

i know when my 300zx 71c tranny blew it made rattling noises but it did it while i was in neutral too.

[Righthand180]

I'll check the motor mounts this weekend, but I would think that would make a lower pitch sound. More of a "thud" than a "rattle" I was reading some where that it might be a release bearing?