grantwestgarth

Hi all,

After having my 2004 S for over a month now it's been great, but there are a few things I'm not sure are "quite right" with it. The most notable of these is that there seems to be quite a lot of slop/play/backlash when lifting off the throttle, going from first to reverse and pressing the clutch down. Almost like something is engaging and then disengaging as it loses momentum, or like the engine is "slaping' as it loses momentum through the drive-train. I originally thought this was bad engine/trans mounts, however after checking all of these and installing a torque damped, the "play" is this there. I have also checked play in the axles and diff and all seem fairly "stiff", as I would expect. I then moved my attention to the prop shaft. The shaft itself seems to have very little play in the joint, as expected, but these does seem to be an excessive amount of rotational play when rotating the prop shaft, and this is all inside the transmission. I have taken a video of this to show the level of play/noise this is making inside the transmission.

(hopefully I can share Youtube liks here?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv3Cq5XigWU

Recently replaced the transmission fluid and still as clunky as ever when doing the things mentioned above. So, can an experienced S2000 owner either put me at ease that this is normal and I need to "live with it", or confirm that there's something more serious at fault...

Apologies if this is just a "drive it smoother you newbie!" question, as this is my first real "drivers car".

Thanks for any help,
Grant.

mikefifth

Had the same, replaced propshaft, all sorted.

BenRNBP

a lot of people report a 'take up' in the drive-train when selecting a gear - I think it's deemed a "feature" of the S2000 (having said that mine doesn't do it)

Nick Graves

GT86s do it worse unless you let it stop rotating before selecting a gear - I think it's the same combo of the A-W AZ6 tranny & the RX-7/Supra diff...

chrispayze

Interesting, I'd assumed it was just an increase in backlash in the diff.

grantwestgarth

I don't think it's the prop shaft. Between the 2 end flanges of the shaft it's very tight, it's just what goes in to the trans, which I guess is just a splined shaft where the backlash seems to be...? After looking at the video do you guys think that's normal... Anyone else (with no issues) done the same test, and if so, is it as bad as mine??

I don't appear the have the same issue between gears, which I guess is just because it's too loud and there's less time for the "slap" to reach full "slappyness". It's most noticeable at low speeds when I press the clutch in it just clunks a couple of times as the prop and trans equal their rotational speeds... At least that's my best guess...

mikefifth

Nope. Front UJ had shat Nutella all over the underside and was clunking like mad.

Daytona-Dave

In the Vid you posted the play you feel isn't in the box that's just gear slap you can hear, the play is a combination of small amounts in the diff and drive shaft joints of which you have 4, next time you feel the play look at the rear and you will see the movement around the rear shafts,

richmc

What did you change it with genuine Honda MTF?

As a drivers car you need to be sympathetic with the gear change, don't push the stick but let the gearbox Take it, harsh gear change and too quick back on the throttle could be causing this you may be feeling the clutch delay valve working.

An S2000 specialist mechanic would be able to tell you if you have a propshaft/gearbox/diff problem.

westburywheeler

You dont seem to have quoted the mileage im assuming its fairly high, as is mine, what you describe is drive train back lash from wear and tear, I have exactly the same, had it on the ramp and looked several times, nowt to do about unless you want to replace g/box, prop, diff, drive shafts, read Daytona Daves post again he's right and knows more about the S2000 than most on here