Is this my gearbox finally giving up?

[newsh]

Still not had a chance to fit the 6 speed and I have this noise which is getting worse and worse..
If I give it too much throttle at low rpms, like I'm in second and I should really be in first, pulling out of a side turning maybe, I get a loud ticka tika tika noise that goes as soon as the revs rise happens in second most, a bit in 1st and 3rd I think, may be worse if pulling away round a corner. Seems to come from my side of the car , engine bay. Been thinking its the box, which whines like an Essex girl wanting a holiday in Spain, but recently wondering if its something else, CV joint maybe or piston slap? What does piston slap sound like? I'm scaring myself now..

[S2 Ant]

From what you describe i'd say Outer CV joint, the noise sounds spot on and would certainly be worse on a bend because of the position it would be in.

[newsh]

yes, it really does sound like its coming from near the wheel, mind you I've changed the wrong wheel bearing before now so that doesn't mean much.

If the CV joint goes bang will I crash horribly?

[FITZY]

When you get this noise while turning, is it when you are turning right or left? Mine did this on the passenger side, but only when turning right out of a junction. One new cv joint later (well actually secondhand) noise gone

[newsh]

I'd have to check but I think both ways and in a staight line at very low rpm.

[FITZY]

Personally, If you're getting it turning both ways and possibly in a straight line, I wouldn't have thought it was a cv joint IMHO.

[newsh]

Definitly much louder when turning though.

[S2 Ant]

It does sound like CV joint, you wouldnt have a nasty accident i shouldnt think, ive sheered the part that goes in to the wheel hub off before and you just lose drive to that wheel, i done that on a 2wd car so i lost all drive, not sure how that would work on a 4wd car.

Its unlikely to just seize or lock itself with all the weight of the car behind it.

As you say tho, its not always easy to change the correct one because of the way the noise moves thru the car, ive replaced the wrong ones previously on cars in the past as its hard to tell sometimes

[SteveH]

The 5 speed boxes tend to get a noisy rattle below 2k-2.5k This is common on higher mileage motors. It shouldn't be affected by turning direction, as it's the main input shaft bearing that get noisy.