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2013 JK 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION "RATTLING" NOISE POLL

2013 jk 6-speed manual transmission "rattling" noise poll

218K views 658 replies 220 participants last post by  Leadnut 
#1 ·
I have a 2013 JKUR on order, and noticed many guys on various JK forums complaining of "rattling" issues with their 6-Speed Manual Transmissions.

I would like to ask all new 2013 JK owners with Manual Transmissions to "chime-in" on this Poll, and elaborate with posts as you see fit.

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
I voted that my Jeep makes noises, but I'm not convinced that it's actually a problem. My transmission does make some wonky noises when I shift, and I can feel the engine shift in its mounts when I'm in sixth gear, but I haven't actually had any problems with my Jeep yet, thankfully!
 
#3 ·
No problems just a slight rattle in the trans that I've heard in hundreds of other manual transmissions in other vehicles.
 
#8 ·
Transmission rattle might be common but that doesn't make it right. And the "it's a Jeep" doesn't justify it either. Know why? I had the rattle, it was repaired due to a defective part and now the rattle is gone.
 
#9 ·
SilverSport said:
Transmission rattle might be common but that doesn't make it right. And the "it's a Jeep" doesn't justify it either. Know why? I had the rattle, it was repaired due to a defective part and now the rattle is gone.
I do agree with you. was yours excessive ?
Honestly the first I've seen fixing the "wrangler rattle" <--- yup it has a name :)
I guess if you push hard enough you can get anything fixed. But I know damn well if I myself rolled into the dealership with this issue they would laugh.
 
#12 ·
Having owned other manual tranny vehicles in the past, I have a good idea what sounds normal and what doesn't concerning the transmission.

Sounded like rolling marbles in a can whenever accelerating in 3rd and 4th gears. One test drive with the shop foreman and he agreed not normal. No pushing, threatening, or arm twisting involved. Dropped tranny and replaced countershaft assembly. Problem solved. Others on the forum have had repairs done for the transmission rattle.

My 7 year old pickup with 100K miles has a few groans and moans. I would expect that. But not on a new Jeep. It irks me that some folks pawn it off as "it's a Jeep thing". :banghead:
 
#11 ·
Mine makes a "rough" sound when driving steady at around 1800-2300 rpm. My brother also has a 2012 manual and his Jeep makes about 10x more of this noise at the same rpm range. Both vehicles have around 8000 miles. I'll have it checked out at some point. It doesn't worry me much and I love the 6 speed.
 
#133 ·
My brother also has a 2012 manual and his Jeep makes about 10x more of this noise at the same rpm range.
Same here. Except it's mine and not my bro's.

I wanted to do some wheeling before getting it fixed... why my brain thought like that...?!?

But my 2012 accelerating in third sounds like an 18-wheeler with all the noise it makes.

Anyway, still under warranty and something to follow up on.

BobH

PS GL with your 13.
 
#13 ·
That's what I hear. A very slight marbles in a can. I guess I've become used to it.
Others don't notice it. Very minor.

Maybe tolerances within that part of the tranny are not all that tight. Someone might have issues and some don't. But not meaning there's is a actual problem ?

I bought mine used but I can see a brand new vehicle I would have looked into it more.
 
#34 ·
Same here, noise in neutral when warm but goes away with a slight push on the clutch, got the clutch fixed under warranty and the noise was gone. Dealer installed a clutch kit. Noise is back now after a few months. I hauled a light 4x8 trailer with about 300 lbs in it for 550 miles and it brought the neutral rattle noise back. Looks like there are two types of rattle on this thread, neutral and while driving. 2010 unlimited
 
#15 ·
I have 2012 jku with 4k miles on it. and does the exact same thing as urs does agoldxj. I just had the dealer check it today all they did was top the tranny fluid off that was about 3/4 of a quart low but still had the same noise once I left when ever I came to a stop. Anybody have any ideas???
 
#18 ·
I've noticed a rattle in mine also, not excessive, and can't hear it on the road, but hear it at the drive thru window. If I'm in 1st gear, and push in the clutch to coast to the window it def sounds like marbles in a can. When I first heard it I was concerned, now I'm used to it.

What I don't like about the manual Trans, is how finicky it is to drive. I've owned so many manual Trans trucks and jeeps and they were a blast to drive, but mine, it's a pain, wish I bought an auto. Very jerky, seems like the clutch and gas pedal are out of wack. I'm blaming it on the accelerator delay
 
#105 ·
I've noticed a rattle in mine also, not excessive, and can't hear it on the road, but hear it at the drive thru window. If I'm in 1st gear, and push in the clutch to coast to the window it def sounds like marbles in a can. When I first heard it I was concerned, now I'm used to it.

What I don't like about the manual Trans, is how finicky it is to drive. I've owned so many manual Trans trucks and jeeps and they were a blast to drive, but mine, it's a pain, wish I bought an auto. Very jerky, seems like the clutch and gas pedal are out of wack. I'm blaming it on the accelerator delay
Buy a Procal and fix the delay. There is a thread here and on other forums that are less than convinced. I can tell you it works. Be prepared for it to fail once or twice but stay with it. You will be pleased. It's called pairing like with your phone.
 
#19 ·
I've driven all manual vehicles since 1987 and my new 2013 JK 2-door transmission so far sounds fine. Shifting is solid and not hearing anything out of the ordinary. I am finding it to be a bit finicky between the gas and clutch though. Might be I need a bit more time but I'm used to just gliding through gears in my 2007 FJ without all the herky jerky I'm getting now.
 
#77 ·
Since my last post I've gotten a rattle in 3rd and 4th and neutral. I took it into day to the dealership and took the shop foreman out for a ride. He didn't say much on the trip around the block other than they've seen new Jeeps come in with the transmission fluid not being at the correct level. They checked that and it was fine.

I have to take it back Monday where they will tear it down to look for the problem. They did put it on a rack and heard the rattling in neutral.

From my invoice:

"Found grinding noise while in neutral customer to return for tear down on transmission."
We'll see how it goes!
 
#21 ·
I've had my trans out twice and soon to go back again for #3. They replaced a rear bearing in the trans the first time and replaced almost everything the second time when that didn't work. Here's what it sounded like after repair #1. I have both idle and at speed rattles.

Wrangler 6-speed Transmission Rattle - YouTube

Here's what they replaced in round #2:


After driving a month after the second repair, my transmission now rattles worse than ever. It sounds like it's going to blow apart sometimes. lol.
 
#33 ·
I've had my trans out twice and soon to go back again for #3. They replaced a rear bearing in the trans the first time and replaced almost everything the second time when that didn't work. Here's what it sounded like after repair #1. I have both idle and at speed rattles.

Wrangler 6-speed Transmission Rattle - YouTube

Here's what they replaced in round #2:


After driving a month after the second repair, my transmission now rattles worse than ever. It sounds like it's going to blow apart sometimes. lol.
I get a slight rattle but NOTHING like what you have. :surrender:

Not sure it's a problem but a little bit of a vibration/rattle. FWIW, mine's a 2012, but I don't think much has changed...
 
#22 ·
Re: JK 6-speed manual transmission "rattling" noise

Hey doc5339

I live in Canada and bought a used 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Islander from a local Jeep Dealer in my area that was 1 year old with 33,000 km.

After about 40 days I started to notice a noise from the clutch, trans area.

Before I go any further I will tell you that I am a licensed mechanic with over 40 years experience.

The rattle noise that I was getting was noticeable when I shifted gears or accelerated or de-accelerated in every gear except 1st or rev (highter gear ratio in these gears) .

I suspected a clutch disk problem so I took it to the dealer and they pulled the trans and replaced some parts, but the noise was still there.
I told them that I thought that it was in the clutch and they pulled the trans again and pulled the clutch assembly.
The problem was the springs in the clutch disk were almost following out and this was causing the rattle noise.

Problem solved, but I had to pay for the disk which I disagreed with because the friction material was not worn but the springs were faulty.

After 4 months the noise is back and I am fighting with Chrysler Canada to get them to make a correct repair.

There is a TSB on this problem reported for 2008 JK models.

PS: All other possibilities were eliminated before repair was made.

This seems to be a common problem with the JK and Unlimited.

Keep me advised.
 
#24 ·
No issues here. It is very clunky and takes a few weeks for an experienced manual driver get a hang of. It feels like there is some looseness or play in the syncros and because its the same on every one I've driven I assume it's normal.

Also, I'd test driven 1 with 1 mile on the odometer which had a serious drive line clunk every time the clutch is released. I've noticed they all do this to varying degrees. The bad one I'd driven sounded and felt like a totally bad u joint. It's very subtile on mine, but it has me wondering.
 
#25 ·
No issues, no noise except the light vibration you get if you rest your hand on the stick. But I only had my new JKU for a few days, so I may not be a good sample for this poll.

And also no problem rowing the stick (even if my last experience with a manual was 17 years ago). All I can say, I'm having so much fun with my new JKU and when I,m feeling down, a quick drive in 'Dozer is worth any super-pills or therapy!
 
#26 ·
My 2013 with 2,100kms on it has a slight rattle in neutral with the clutch out, such as when waiting at a red light.

I guess i'll wait until it gets any worse to have it checked out. It still drives fine - at least way better than the 6-speed that was in my 2005 TJ which was the first year for the NSG-370. It crunched going into 2nd more often than not.
 
#29 ·
I have a 2013 JKU Sport w/ 2,000mi. I hear a low pitch rattle/gurgle at 1800-2500 rpm in 2nd thru 4th gear. I don't know much about engine/trans so I just assumed it was just part of the package. Reading a lot today indicating that it may be a problem, not much clarity on any of the 4 or so forums.

I figure I will continue to check forums until I find a concise answer about it.
 
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