A fundamental study of noise generation in high‐speed mechanical systems is undertaken. The objective being the development of modeling techniques for the prediction of mechanical system noise levels. Recently developed dynamical procedures are used to obtain the motions of linked mechanical systems with elastic elements and connection clearances. The ranges of critical system parameters are identified and classical acoustical analysis methods are used in determining the most significant acoustic sources. Detailed acoustic models are analytically developed for these significant sources. These methods and models are then used to predict the farfield radiation of a simple, yet representative, mechanical system; an elastic link with connection clearances in a nominal motion container.