Renault 21 Gearbox Noise

Simon H · 08-08-06, 10:26 AM

Hi all

I have just taken my KVA out for a quick test drive before she goes for her MOT on Friday. On pulling away it started making a loud whine from the gearbox. This noise increased as the car picked up speed and I am now somewhat worried. The clutch works fine it it did not make this noise below about 10 mph. It has been leaking oil from one of the shafts but I filled it back up before I took her out so it was not lack of fluid. Any thoughts on what it could be? I have a Renault 21 Turbo gearbox installed if that helps. I hope its nothing major. I have worked hard to get it to this stage and could do without any more problems!!

Many thanks

Simon

Simon H · 08-08-06, 01:00 PM

Just had the KVA up on stands and run the motor to see if I can hear where the noise is from. It is most certainly from the gearbox itself and the whine is much louder in 3rd,4th and 5th gears. If it is an internal gearbox problem does anyone have any thoughts on what it could be?

aji · 08-08-06, 02:55 PM

You may have toasted a bearing on one of the output shafts most likely a carrier bearing if you drove it low on fluid, then filled it.

The output shafts spin faster in 3rd 4th and 5th so it is quite natural for the noise to be higher in frequency and level. Drain the fluid thru filter paper and see if you find metal bits..

If you need to change the seal you might as well change the bearings!
let us know???

best

Jonathan S · 08-08-06, 03:29 PM

Did you put the right type of fluid in it? I don't know if that transaxle take heavy oils or ATF.

Ian Anderson · 08-08-06, 03:59 PM

I was told 75/90 gear oil is what they take

Ian

Howard Jones · 08-08-06, 04:21 PM

75/90 is what I use. Should be fine. Drain oil through a fine screen, I use a big tea strainer lined with a piece of white t shirt material, and see what you find. Post picture of bits, if any.

Bob I. · 08-08-06, 06:10 PM

I also have a Renult 21 Turbo Transmission and after talking with 3 or 4 distributors including a Delorean service center here in California I am using Mobile 1 SHC 630.In general the reason that it is a little harder to get the proper lubrication for all transaxles is simply because they have a higher number of demanding properties that need to be met compared to a seperate tranny and rear end.Finding one fluid that balances good lubrication and proper thermal viscosity to both a transmission and a differential at the same time is the main challenge.
There were a couple of accecptable choices, most were only available in Europe.I bought this from Grainger Supply it cost $12.83 a quart.

Hope this helps.

Simon H · 08-09-06, 02:36 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. This really was my first proper go up the road and I only went about 100 yards before I turned back. I would be quite surprised if I had done some major damage on this short run (the level has been kept topped up since installing the gearbox). I am using a castrol synthetic oil that is 75/90 grade. I was also advised that this is what to use with a UN1 gearbox. I have taken your advice and just drained the oil back out and filtered it. Apart from some bits of grime there was no metal bits in there. Perhaps my only choice now is going to be strip the gearbox and have a look inside. This would then give me a chance to study the bearings and see if any are troublesome. Looks like my MOT will have to wait just a little longer!. I must be due some luck by now. I will strip the gearbox tonight and let you know what I find.

Regards

Simon

Frank Catt · 08-09-06, 03:15 AM

Simon, call me, Frank

SteveB · 08-09-06, 03:39 AM

Chris Cole at Mach 1 Transmissions helped me with my car, he understands the Renault box inside out.
Mach1 ads are in most GT40 Enthusiasts Club Mag try 01952 222155

SteveB

Malcolm · 08-09-06, 03:41 AM

Have you considered the clutch release arm fouling on the clutch cover or something along those lines? When you mate different manufacturer parts together tolerances can go out the window!

aji · 08-09-06, 10:55 AM

Very well Simon

I suspect you got the gearbox used with the leaky seal. Whoever had it before you may have run it low on oil and did something bad to it. The noise is not good. It is a good idea to strip the box and have a look. It does not appear that you are making metal shaving, however you only drove a very short distance. A shaft could have excessive wear and/or a bearing is NG

Best

Simon H · 08-14-06, 08:39 AM

After stripping the gearbox over the weekend I can find nothing wrong with any of the bearings or the gears. All seems to be fine and I am sure there is no problem with either of my driveshafts. After having a very informative conversation with Frank Catt it would appear that I may have incorrectly set up my spigot bearing and carrier. Thanks to this information I will now have good study of this set up and see what I can find.

Has anyone else suffered with noise problems relating to the spigot bearing and carrier?. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that this is where my problem is and not the gearbox. Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

Regards

Simon

aji · 08-14-06, 12:02 PM

If the diff was not setup with the correct clearances it will most certainly make sounds if to tight or loose. It appears it may have been too tight.

Good luck. It is good to hear the box is fine.

best

Lambo · 08-16-06, 06:32 AM

Hi Simon, Maybe this will help, its the service manual for the r21, and an article from a lotus owner on how to build a strong gearbox , and some other info i had salted away.

Best Regards
Lambo

Simon H · 08-16-06, 07:48 AM

Hi Lambo

Thanks for that information, that is very helpful. I am going to take a visit to the GTD track day tomorrow at Goodwood. Chris Cole and other specialists will be there so I am hoping I can get information and parts to sort out my gearbox problems. I am really looking forward to seeing all those GT's racing around the track.

From your online name I assume you are an owner / fan of the famous italian sportscars. I was fortunate enough to own a Diablo SV and untill last year a Roadster. Great cars, very fast but the service costs were as large as its rear end!.

Lambo · 08-16-06, 06:23 PM

Very Nice car simon, I'm building a local kit of a Countach, finances don't stretch to a real one, unless wife can be convinced to sell the house and maybe the children lol .I am using a Lexus V8 and Audi 016 Quattro,using 4wd as you are a Lambo owner these may be of interest most of the guys on these sites own REAL lambos http://www.lambopower.com/forum/
and http://ferrarichat.com/forum/index.php? about 8 entries up from the bottom of the first page is lamborghinichat both sites are well worth a look.

Best Regards
Lambo

Simon H · 08-18-06, 04:14 AM

Hi Lambo

Thanks for the links, I will check them out later. All Lamborghini's are fantastic cars in my view, be they real or recreations. The Countach is also one of my many favourite cars. Totally in your face with an exhaust note to die for. The first Diablo I had was a limited edition titanium silver SV. It was one of the last made with pop up headlights and had the 530 BHP engine set up. Being a 2 wheel drive with all that power on tap it was rather scary at times. The Roaster was a bit more civilised to use but still had quite stupid performance.

I hope all is going well with your build and that you are pleased with it when completed. Even though it has been a great deal of work getting my GT finished I have gained much satisfaction from the end result. You will need to prepare yourself for the attention your Countach will get!

Regards

Simon