I have a 5sp manual transmission 22re with an intermittent clicking noise that happens only while in gear. It stops as soon as I throw it in neutral, so I'm unable to diagnose the source while in the driveway. It takes places in 1st through 5th gear. The speed of the clicking remains the same whether I'm going 25 or 50. Its not constant and sometimes I can drive for a few miles with no noise at all and then it will kick in and then eventually stop for a bit without me doing anything.

It almost sounds like a spinning piece of metal occasionally scraping past something else.
Any ideas?

I checked and the transmission fluid isn't at all low. Other than that I'm really not sure what I should be looking for.

I appreciate any tips!

 

Sounds like something is loose .

One of the heat shields ??

If you still have the bottom shield in place it could be that.

Might be a bad engine mount or transmission mount. allowing things to move just enough it bumps against something.

While driving does it stop when the clutch is pushed in??

 

hmm good tips - I'll test out the clutch thing. If it does stop when the clutch is pushed in could it be something else?

 

update:
pressing the clutch in does not affect the clicking noise and I don't really expect it to be a loose mount since the noise is more of a click that sounds like something is rotating/spinning (similar to a metal fan just slightly scraping against another surface)

any other ideas?

 

One of the bolts loose on the driveshaft flanges??

One of the CV axles just starting to get bad??

Bent dust shield someplace on one of the rotating assemblies ??

Perhaps something on the front of the engine ??

I had a thought driving today !!

Are you sure your not trying to describe a bearing knock that is just starting as you say it sounds like it is rotating ??