turns out it was a bum u-joint

took me a few hours to fix it but things are sounding normal again.

thanks

I have no real suggestions, particularly without being able to hear what it sounds like and when it actually happens. I would start with simple stuff--is the drive train in good shape, with no looseness in the u-joints or support bearing? Is the big nut holding the shifter in place on tight (my wife had the shifter come off in her hand one time--she was NOT amused!)? Depending on the noise, I would also check the throwout bearing and even the clutch plate to be sure nothing is loose. "Rattling sound" makes me suspect that something somewhere is either getting badly worn or that bolts are coming loose. I wouldn't think that a problem in the gears themselves would lead to rattling.

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Tim--'72 ES, '90 240

Is the transmission automatic or standard?
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Tim--'72 ES, '90 240