I have a 1985 Accord 5-speed hatchback with about 215,000 miles.

For a couple years now I've heard a very high-pitched whine when I'm in 5th gear. It sounds similar to the sound made by tires on a concrete highway. Over time it has grown louder. None of the other gears have this whine. I'm sure it's either a worn gear or bearing, but has anyone else encountered this? Is it going to lead to catastrophic gearbox failure, or will it just get continually get louder and louder until my hearing fails? Short of transmission replacement, is there anything I can do to help the situation (besides stay out of 5th gear)?

 

I bet you that, what happen is, that once before or even now someone put 90w gear oil in the tranny.......when that happens , gear oil is too thick to get up to fifth gear to lube it,,,
fifth gear will get hot and wear down. it will start to make noise , then you wont be able to shift car into 5th gear...or you can shift into 5th but it will pop out

being a 5sp you are lucky all the metal filing will not cause as much damage as if it were an AT..

I would remove the rear case and inspect 5th gear assembly ...


If you want to repair it , you can easily do so , by removing the rear case and just replace 5th gear assembly ( gear, bearing, syncro, )
you should replace the fluid and use 10w-30 oil ASAP.

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Thanks for your thougts, DesertHonda. Can the rear case inspection and 5th gear replacement be done with the transmission in the car or must it all be removed?

 

no need to remove the tranny, the rear outer case can be easily removed and 5th gear replaced if needed with tranny in the car