Help: Weird Rattle Noise coming from bellhousing area

[BigdaddyCtrain]

I have a weird scraping/rattling/tinging sound coming from the bellhousing. Seems to come and go, but almost always there on start up, and only at idle. Apply any throttle and it goes away completely. Doesn't change whether you're in park, neutral, drive, or reverse, but only at idle.

Checked all fluids, made sure it wasn't a heat shield, had two separate shops look at it without a clue. One said it sounded like the starter hitting the flywheel, so I took it apart, replaced the solenoid, and put it back which made the noise go away for a day or so, then it returned.

The other thing that has happened about 3 times now since the noise started, driving down the road out of the blue the entire truck starts shaking like you're driving over washboard. Kinda scary when you're on on a 5 lane freeway in the middle of rush hour..

It's my daily driver so I'd like to take care of it before it leaves me stranded somewhere. If anyone has any idea what it could be please help me!

 

[clrussell]

Has anyone checked to make sure the torque converter isn't loose? When you pulled the starter were the drive teeth all banged up?

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

Is the converter slipping?

 

[WolfLMM]

^this, converter shutter will shake the whole damn truck to pieces.

 

[DMAXchris]

Cracked flex plate perhaps?

 

[JoshH]

The shaking thing sounds like it could be a converter problem and that could also have something to do with the rattling.

 

[BigdaddyCtrain]

Teeth were okay, and its not slipping. I'v been told that if it were a cracked flex plate or loose bolts it would be shaking all the time?

 

[JoshH]

How do you know it isn't slipping?

 

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site, it's great to have you here.

Tony:hello:

 

[BigdaddyCtrain]

It feels normal driving, what would slipping feel like?
And thanks! I'v read a ton on the forum and figured it was time to join

 

[clrussell]

It feels normal driving, what would slipping feel like?
And thanks! I'v read a ton on the forum and figured it was time to join

A slipping converter would feel like a rumble strip almost. It'll be a fast shudder. Should be more noticeable about 55 where it locks converter and lugs a little.

Crawl under your truck and pop the inspection cover off the bel housing. It's about the size of a dollar bill folded in half long ways on the driver lower side of the trans next to the spin on filter. You should be able to see the converter from there.

With truck not running and keys out of the ignition and no one sitting in the truck that could start it, see if the converter moves a little with just your fingers. If not look tword the back of the motor and see if you can see any cracks in the flex plate.

 

[DMAXchris]

It feels normal driving, what would slipping feel like?
And thanks! I'v read a ton on the forum and figured it was time to join

You can really tell with the TCC locked up at highway speed. Roll into it and if it seems to rev more than it accelerates, its probably slipping. Or hook up a TechII and watch the TCC when its locked. Mine would shoot up to 250 when my converter was shot.

 

[BigdaddyCtrain]

I, ve been hearing it's probably the starter still not pulling back in all the way, and the occasional bumpy ride is probably a hub going. Pulling the starter again tomorrow, any advice on how to check the hubs?