Hey Guys, new to me 09 Honda Fit MT US model. Car is great, but I noticed an input shaft bearing noise. Very noticeable on cold starts, which unfortunately I didn't get to do at the dealer as they had the car running when I got there. I'm considering replacing the whole transmission as the input shaft may be scored from the bad bearing, and cost overall may be similar.

My question is: Does anyone know if a 2013 Canadian Market Honda 5SPD MT Transmission would bolt up to an 09 US market Fit? I've asked the wrecker but they couldn't say for certain, wondering if anyone has knowledge about this. My dealer thinks a USA 2013 MT Transmission should fit a 2009 USA Fit, but hasn't got back to me about the CAN model.

Thanks!

 

Really think Canadian models are the same as US models, at least for MT.

For AT, might be different as we don't have paddle shifters here.

Sadly, could not tell for sure though.

 

It's strange, on ebay it only shows me 09 US MT transmission for the 09 US MT, but says 10-14 MT transmissions from North America are all interchangeable, so I think something changed between 09 and 10-14 and across the board for North American MT Fits. I pulled the parts list from the Tranny Case and The Clutch Case and All I see that are different are some shims, but I don't know if I want to chance it for a couple hundred bucks, might just spend a few hundred more on a low miles 09.

Regardless, these damn input shaft bearings seem to go often on honda 4 cylinders! And my car has good service records with transmission oil changes noted in the service history so I'm kinda bummed. It was probably present early in the car's life and the previous owner just didn't notice it while the car was still under warranty.

 

My fear would be that you'll just go from owning one transmission with an input bearing noise to owning two. The yards don't do any real inspection.

I would change the bearing and hope the noise goes away. Since it's a fair amount of work, I'd put a new clutch in it at the same time.

As for compatibility, I'm just about positive that any manual from a US/CA GE8 would be the same.

 

Thanks for the input (no pun intended there). I think you have a point, and I'm thinking a shop will also be more willing to guarantee the work if they just install a new bearing vs. install a whole new transmission which may have it's own problems from the get go like you say.

I'm also thinking to do the Exedy OEM clutch kit with a flywheel, pilot, and throwout bearing, as well as have them replace the rear main seal and any other bearings that are easy to swap out while the gearbox is open.

I'll see what they shop recommends, bummed that I have to do this right after getting the car but cant wait for the annoying whirling and growling to cease.

 

How loud are we talking? I've had an input shaft bearing that makes a little noise for over 80k miles and it hasn't gotten the slightest bit worse. Just curious if what you're experiencing is new to you but usual for the car.

 

Here's a cell phone video.

The sounds quality is not awesome, but its about this loud in relation to the engine (this is at idle). You hear it at the very beginning 0-1s and at from about 4 seconds to the end when the clutch is engaged and I'm out of the car to get the phone. Clutch is disengaged and sound gone from about 1s to 3s.

I also have a bit of a valve tick, got to address that when I swap out the plugs.

 

That engine sounds 100% normal. The input shaft bearing also sounds normal to me for these cars.

 

That doesn't sound bad to me. I'd probably just address it when it needs a clutch or if it gets louder.

Does sound over due for a valve adjustment though!

 

Ok, I'm glad to hear the confidence you guys have in my car's drive train! I'm not worried about it suddenly going out, but I do notice it especially on a cold morning and I'm a bit OCD I guess, lol. I don't think I'll need a clutch for a long while because this one grabs well and I'm a fairly conservative driver.

In that case, I'll just swap out the gearbox oil for now, it was last changed about 20k miles ago. Honda recommends changing the gearbox oil with the car level, but I've seen some users doing it with only the front lifted up, is that any better or worse for the bearings and gears?

Yep, the phone picks up the higher frequency tick of the valves a bit better than my ears I think, so I'll get those checked out.

 

You're a little early for a gearbox oil change, but it sounds like you're raring to do something with the car so have at it. I wouldn't overthink the jacked vs level gearbox oil thing, just fill it until it comes out the fill hole and you'll be good.

 

How many miles are on the car?

 

2009 Fit Sport, has just about 98k miles on it now

 

Not bad for an '09. It's just now due for the valve adjustment. They are probably not far out of spec.