08 GT transmission noise

ghedeup123

New Member
Jan 13, 2008
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Frederick MD
I have an 08 GT manual with 5,000 miles on it, bought last New years Eve. I've noticed that the transmission is pretty noisy, with the noise being apparent at the front of the car and not coming from the diff at the rear.

Yesterday I fitted a Hurst billet shifter, which of course has only made the noise easier to hear. The car sounds like it has more like 100,000 miles on it, not 5,000. Truth be told, I've never been happy with this since new, but put off going to the dealership because I had a feeling they might just tell me it was normal, plus, I don't use the car on a daily basis and I figured I would put a few miles on it and see if it improved. Tonight I returned from a 400 mile drive and found it pretty stressful, especially in stop and go traffic.

It sounds worn, like a bearing or something, maybe the clutch release bearing ? It does seem more apparent when I let the clutch out, but if the car is coasting with my foot on the clutch I can still hear a faint whine coming from it. It seems to become more apparent the warmer the car gets, but even from cold, going up though the gears is when I most notice it.

I know the best thing is probably to take it to the dealership and have them take a look at it, but just wondered if anyone had experienced a similar issue.

Colin
 
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I have heard that this is normal, especially with the Hurst Shifter. Mine is noisy too (07 GT). You know, the Mustang is a V8 attached to wheels, period. It is not a luxury ride. It could be, but then they would cost 60 grand. I think you can buy something called Dynamat and place it on the underside of the car, between the cab and the transmission, to reduce noise and heat. I have not done this, so I could be totally wrong on how to use it, where to place it, etc., but I think it is the solution your looking for.

The Official Dynamat Website
 
I think you may be right, as the dealer told me today that what I was hearing was totally normal. If so, the Ford Motor Company is indeed in trouble. My GT premium cost around $30k, granted that is with options. I have driven other cars in the same price range that did not exhibit this kind of behavior. I agree it's a V8 on wheels but surely they make a trans that doesn't sound like it's about to break.

It's a shame, because otherwise I love the car and this noise completely ruins my driving experience. The dealer pointed to the Hurst shifter, didn't know what it was but knew it was aftermarket. The noise was there before it was fitted but now is more apparent.

I'll take your advice and see what some Dynamat can do for me.

Colin
 
The Mustang has always had quirks like this as long as it's been around. The transmission whine is part of owning a Mustang. Just take it as a subtle reminder that you've got 300+ HP and a beautiful v8 exhaust note at your whim.

Like Grey said, if you really can't stand it then Dynamat will work to keep some of the noise out of the cockpit.
 
i believe its the lack of sound deadning material to avoid weighting down the car is why theres so much noise. A little bit of dynomat goes a long way
 
Does Dynamat just go under the interior carpet? It does not seem like that would have much effect on the transmission noise, as that is coming through the center console. I was thinking you could install it on the underside of the car, between the center console and the transmission. Is that possible?

Also, Colin, the point I was trying to make about the Mustang, is not that the transmission is not good, is that your not really paying for anything other than the drivetrain. Most other car manufacturers spend a lot of engineering time and and effort to make a quite cabin. This adds siginifigantly to the price of the car. The transmission on the Mustang is very good, the noise your hearing is normal, and all transmissions will make the same noise. The difference is, other cars will have factory installed dynamat-like sound protection material, and different interior cabin layouts designed specifically to keep you from hearing the transmission noise. As a test, take a car you think has a very quite ride, then stick your head under the car while a friend moves the gear shifter around. (I cant be held responsible for any injuries aquired while attempting this). You will probably be surprised out how loud it all seems. Mustang owners are generally gear heads, so we dont mind hearing all the click clacks and whines of a proper tranmission. That just increases the connection between us and the car. And admittedly, it may scare off some of the more fragile chicas.

"Your car sounds like its going to explode! Your going too fast! Slow down!" Exclaims my wife from the passenger seat.



"What? Are you saying something? You know I cant hear you when I'm accelerating babe, let me know at the next light." I reply
 
Does Dynamat just go under the interior carpet? It does not seem like that would have much effect on the transmission noise, as that is coming through the center console. I was thinking you could install it on the underside of the car, between the center console and the transmission. Is that possible?

Also, Colin, the point I was trying to make about the Mustang, is not that the transmission is not good, is that your not really paying for anything other than the drivetrain. Most other car manufacturers spend a lot of engineering time and and effort to make a quite cabin. This adds siginifigantly to the price of the car. The transmission on the Mustang is very good, the noise your hearing is normal, and all transmissions will make the same noise. The difference is, other cars will have factory installed dynamat-like sound protection material, and different interior cabin layouts designed specifically to keep you from hearing the transmission noise. As a test, take a car you think has a very quite ride, then stick your head under the car while a friend moves the gear shifter around. (I cant be held responsible for any injuries aquired while attempting this). You will probably be surprised out how loud it all seems. Mustang owners are generally gear heads, so we dont mind hearing all the click clacks and whines of a proper tranmission. That just increases the connection between us and the car. And admittedly, it may scare off some of the more fragile chicas.

"Your car sounds like its going to explode! Your going too fast! Slow down!" Exclaims my wife from the passenger seat.



"What? Are you saying something? You know I cant hear you when I'm accelerating babe, let me know at the next light." I reply

OK, I've been driving cars for a very long time. I'm well aware that the Mustang is built to a price. It's a no frills performance car and I understand that. Actually in my opinion the S197 is by far the least crude of the Mustangs I have driven in the past, no offense to owners of earlier models.

The point I was trying to make, is that with my car I don't believe the transmission noise is normal. I don't mind a noisy performance car but this driveline sounds worn like bearing noise, plus my shifter gets red hot over time. I will be taking it to an independent shop for them to drive it and give me their opinion. They are a good 60 miles from me so it will have plenty of time to warm up.

I have owned enough cars in my lifetime to know that some manufacturers spend more on sound deadening than others. If I wanted a quiet European car I would have bought one. What you describe as making you feel closer to the car is all well and good, but this is just annoying. If it was just regular driveline noise it wouldn't bother me.

Colin
 
okay, point taken. Your transmission certainly could have a problem, and then I would look like quite an ass insisting that it is normal. I have no idea not having heard your transmission myself. I can tell you, I was shocked at how loud my tranny was at first, but have now gotten used to it. I have also noticed that I shift a bit differently to compensate for the noise.. I think I take my foot off the clutch slower while it is engaging.

Let us know how it turns out at the independent shop.
 
My 07 GT gearbox is noisy as well. If you shift into Neutral and let it idle, you can hear a whirring noise. Let the clutch out, and the noise disappears. Release the clutch and the noise comes back. It's definitely the gearbox and not the TOB or rear-diff.

I've noticed it can make a WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR noise when decelerating in gear. I can't really complain because it shifts rather smoothly compared to some of the folks with real problems. I have the stock shifter.
 
No one here can really tell you if your noise is normal or not.

Go to the dealer that you bought the car from and tell them you want to test drive an 08 and see if there's a diffirence. Either your trans is making a considerable amount of noise or you're just a bit anal. I'm getting the impression that it's the trans and not you. Just do it while the dealer still has some 08s left on the lot and while your car is under warranty.

This should put an end to all your wonders. Good luck.
 
My 07 GT gearbox is noisy as well. If you shift into Neutral and let it idle, you can hear a whirring noise. Let the clutch out, and the noise disappears. Release the clutch and the noise comes back. It's definitely the gearbox and not the TOB or rear-diff.

I've noticed it can make a WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR noise when decelerating in gear. I can't really complain because it shifts rather smoothly compared to some of the folks with real problems. I have the stock shifter.
Yep, it's the classic tr-3650 noise. The gears in the tranny made sure to let me know that they're turning when I had my 3650 equipped GT with the Steeda shifter.

To the OP:
squeaks/rattles/clunks are part of the standard equipment in Mustangs. Like another member said before, you are paying for nothing more than the V8 on wheels. No offense to you but, if you can't deal with these minor nuisances, you shouldn't be driving a Mustang.
 
Yep, it's the classic tr-3650 noise. The gears in the tranny made sure to let me know that they're turning when I had my 3650 equipped GT with the Steeda shifter.

To the OP:
squeaks/rattles/clunks are part of the standard equipment in Mustangs. Like another member said before, you are paying for nothing more than the V8 on wheels. No offense to you but, if you can't deal with these minor nuisances, you shouldn't be driving a Mustang.

I didn't say I couldn't "deal with these minor nuisances". I more than understand, as I think I already said, that the Mustang is built to a price and is a no frills performance car. You guys have hinted more than once though, that I am either anal or can't cope with driving a real "mans car", rather than there might actually be something wrong with it. I'm taking it to an independent shop for them to drive it and give me their opinion.
 
Its a Mustang. Same crunchy noisy gear whining sound that my dads 67 fastback 4sp top-loader has. Bang for the $ it is a hell of a value for the last true muscle car to run down the road.

Over at Dodge and Chevy they seem more worried about these little details and end up with a car much heavier and around $40-$45K out the door.

I will take my hot rod with all of its little quirks. I however agree that Tremac's 3650 sucks...