unclefester

Right. The plastic ball on the base of the shifter can be replaced as can the plastic collar the shifter sits in - both of these will help the feel of the gear change.

The plastic ring can also be replaced that holds the rubber weather seal in place.

Also check that the 4 bolts you can see in the picture aren't loose

P.J.

The ball is in perfect condition as is the collar, it is just the white ring that clips into the seal that is done. On the up side the gear change is smoother now, good stuff...on the down side this noise is starting to drive me insane.

I took another video which is much better you can hear the noise and also hear when I press the clutch in that it goes away.

What you guys think?

VideoLink

P.J.

My mechanic thinks clutch release or input shaft bearing in the box...please don't let it be the box

unclefester

If you do a search for input shaft bearings you can sometimes change them without removing the entire box - there is access at the shifter end via an access panel. PM Squeak, she had this done and had / has the part numbers required

P.J.

Thanks for the help, one final thing, assuming it is either the input shaft or release bearing, if I just keep driving the car as it is will it do any harm? Mainly referring to the gearbox here, as I said it drives 100% and the box itself doesn't crunch at all

unclefester

AFAIK it's just a noisy bearing either way - and the only reason to get it done currently would be to shut the noise up ......unless you're slipping the clutch or the clutch has become stiff to operate or the biting point is almost at the top of the pedal ... i'd not be inclined to worry too much. If you do end up changing the thrust bearing, you might as well change the clutch at the same time as it's a gearbox out job.

P.J.

Ok cheers mate, clutch seems 100% no slipping, bite is as normal and it is not stiff and as said no crunching from the box. Gonna get my mechanic to put it on the ramp tomorrow for a listen to try and further diagnose then make a decision from there.

earl's_f20c

FWIW MY06 also has this noise & drives fine (once properly warmed). After nearly 12 months of ownership I no longer freak out at the various idle noises my S makes.

I only know the sound it makes at >6k makes me giggle like a schoolgirl (inside of course).

P.J.

Did you watch my second video earls? The only reason I brought this up at all is because since owning the car it has never made this noise...

unclefester

That sounds more like input shaft bearings or something inside the box / transmission to me as the noise tails off as the bearings spin down - noisy thrust bearing is instant on/off when the clutch is in / out or at least that's what mine was like.