Gear noise question.

[Wayne64]

Yesterday was skeet and I drove the truck the 25 miles each way to the range without a problem. What gave me a start was when I shut it down to open the fence. It's on a hill so I left it in 1st. Opened the gate and figured I would just coast down hill in 1st and not bother to start it. I dumped the clutch, coasted the 40 feet and had gear noise. After I closed the gate I coasted a bit further in neutral (with and without clutch engaged) and it was quite. Is this normal when in a lower gear?

[Josh]

while not having ever tried it, I believe it is normal, as 1st is non synchro, and I believe straight cut teeth.

[Lifer]

Some "clicking" in the gears is not uncommon with straight-cut gears, especially in older transmissions that have seen a lot of wear. It's amazing how long we continued to use 'em (in a wide range of trucks) when helical-cut gears are so much quieter and synchros make shifting so much easier. That's why trucking was once considered a "man's job." From your description, though, I'd be more inclined to check on your U-joints.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Yesterday was skeet and I drove the truck the 25 miles each way to the range without a problem. What gave me a start was when I shut it down to open the fence. It's on a hill so I left it in 1st. Opened the gate and figured I would just coast down hill in 1st and not bother to start it. I dumped the clutch, coasted the 40 feet and had gear noise. After I closed the gate I coasted a bit further in neutral (with and without clutch engaged) and it was quite. Is this normal when in a lower gear?

With the gear box in first gear, quite loud noise would be very typical because of the gears that are meshed. It is not a good practice to do it at all and damage can result. If you intend to coast, the best practice is to shift to neutral and keep your foot off the clutch pedal.

[Wayne64]

Correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking. Trust me I will check the U joints first chance I get though. If you are coasting in neutral and all is well, the rear drive shaft is still turning and the joints would still be making noise. I have a locker rear and the transfer case would also be getting spin as would the tranny gears in neutral, no matter what the clutch is doing (in or out). I will try the same thing next time in all the gears to see if it's less in higher ratios. Also I have a PTO if that makes any difference?

[Wayne64]

Yesterday was skeet and I drove the truck the 25 miles each way to the range without a problem. What gave me a start was when I shut it down to open the fence. It's on a hill so I left it in 1st. Opened the gate and figured I would just coast down hill in 1st and not bother to start it. I dumped the clutch, coasted the 40 feet and had gear noise. After I closed the gate I coasted a bit further in neutral (with and without clutch engaged) and it was quite. Is this normal when in a lower gear?

With the gear box in first gear, quite loud noise would be very typical because of the gears that are meshed. It is not a good practice to do it at all and damage can result. If you intend to coast, the best practice is to shift to neutral and keep your foot off the clutch pedal.

Sorry but I posted the last before I checked for updates. This slow typer thanks you.