Hi:

I'm having problems with my tranny. I was driving on the highway and went to pass another car. When I down-shifted, the tranny went into neutral ok but when I went to put it into 4th there was some resistance and then a slight pop. The car now seems to be stuck in neutral. The select and shift arms appear to be working but it won't engage in any gear. Any suggestions? Anything I should look at? Help?

Thanks
Sour

Oops, sticky fingers.

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 04-11-2004).]

Bump...

Will it go into any gear with the engine off?
Put it into gear and then try to start it. Does the car jerk from the starter?
It could be the clutch isn't disengaging. Also, have a friend look to see if the shift levers at the transmission are moving when you move the shift lever. Put it into 1st, then see if you can move the lever at the transmission any farther into gear. Do this for each gear.

It could be shift cables not actuating the transmission properly.
It could be the clutch not fully disengaging.

Also, make sure you checked the obvious stuff like the tranny fluid level and the clutch fluid level. Have a friend check to see if the slave cylinder is actuating when you push in the clutch.

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The shift levers are moving and the stick seems to go into the various gear locations. I will check on the items you posted.

Thanks!
Sour

Check your slave cylinder to see what kind of pushrod travel you're getting. Have a helper push the pedal while you observe the travel. You need about 1 1/8", IIRC. Also check the clutch release arm (what the slave pushrod actually pushes on). Could be that's broken.

Formula88's suggestion of putting the car in gear then trying to start it is a good one also. That will tell you if the clutch isn't disengaging fully.

I have finally had a chance to pull the engine and transmission out of the car. What can I say, I've been busy finishing my garage and my wife's studio.

Today I started by pulling off the starter and the flywheel cover plate. Out comes a bunch of black fibrous material. I get the engine and transmission separated and it would appear that the clutch has completely self destructed! The clutch was completely free moving there was no contect with the flywheel!

Here's the flywheel:

The back of the pressure plate:

The clutch:

And the clutch edge on:

Before this happened there was some slight "jerking" when I would start out in first, but the engine seemed to move a bit too much and further investigation revealed a bad transmission mount. I though that it was possibly the clutch but it sure didn't seem this bad!

Oh well. At least the transmission appears to be ok.
Has anyone else had a clutch come apart like this?

Sour

Flywheel looks fine, just needs refacing. ($25) A new clutch kit, and you're up and running again.
Let me know when you nedd help reinstalling the cradle.

-Tony

PS - my '66 Barracuda V8 4-speed blew the facings off during a speed-shift while racing. It does happen.

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Fiero Fiesta - August 1, 2004 - Calgary, Alberta <--- click this LINK

3.4L S/C 87 GT www.fierosound.com
2002/2003/2003 World of Wheels Winner &
Multiple IASCA Stereo Award Winner

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 06-26-2004).]