Problems with Challenger gearbox

Peter,
Is you Mitsubishi Challenger a Diesel engine model? if so it is not uncommon to have a gear rattle at idle and the noise go away after the clutch is disengaged, if it is a gearbox bearing it usally will make a noise in 1st 2nd 3rd go away in 4th and return in 5th, 4th gear is direct drive through the transmission and therfore puts less load on the bearings and hence the noise goes away, as for the shudder in the clutch may due to oil contamation, bad pressure plate Diaphram/ Springs or hot spots on the flywheel and pressure plate.

peter,
A friend had exact same issues. gearbox replaced, and went again. He traded it in on a commodore a few weeks ago with the crook gearbox. Only problem he had was that no dealer was really interested in trading it ( they didnt test drive it either so may not have known of the current status). The dealers must also know of the issues.

I have had a 98 challenger for around 3 years now. Bearing noise at idle is common and has been the same the whole time I've owned mine. Search archives there is some stuff there, common on challenger and triton, noisy thrust bearing which doesn't seem to lead to any problems. A loud ratlle may be a different story. I live in the north west of WA and have given my challenger plenty, recently completed Gibb river road including mitchell falls and vehicle performed as well as any others. The gearbox is actually from the canter light truck so it should be pretty strong. I've had some problem with 2nd gear when cold, not a big issue in the Pilbara.

I agree with Cookie. Our Challa has the same noise. When I asked the service manager about it he said he could fix it for a bucket of money but that the problem would return. Seems that they develop a bearing "rollover" noise which does not develop into problems. Ours has not gotten any worse (except when I feel especially paranoid).
Cheers,
Camper