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Clutch? Release Bearing? Transmission?

Rich DrewekRich Drewek Supporting Member
SERVICE ALERT: Perhaps that pesky release/throw-out bearing, which was discussed here back about the time of engine completion is faulty after all. Been experiencing an intermittent gear-clashing-like sound in first and reverse. Stopped by the mechanic's shop yesterday and was able to actually get the noise/action to happen when driving in reverse on a slight up grade. Then it disappears for awhile, but 25 miles later it showed up again with clutch disengaged waiting to turn at an intersection (maybe had the clutch pedal depressed for 15-30 seconds). A quick flick to neutral stops the noise and the waiting process for the next occurrence begins. It's as if the gears are not fully meshing at times. I haven't noticed anything weird while actually riding along in gear, only at a standstill, though there can be a linkage groan from first to second and second to third on occasion. I have had it happen when I back out of my garage, do a Y turn and put it into first. Putting it into reverse seems to trigger the action. The question is; should I drive it 200 miles down to Special Editions next week? I'd really hate to have it konk out on me half way down there and be at the mercy of some Bears fans in Illinois or Indiana. Any thoughts from you guys (Bears fans or not)?

Crash Test Dummy Guy

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Rich DrewekRich Drewek Supporting Member
SERVICE ALERT: Perhaps that pesky release/throw-out bearing, which was discussed here back about the time of engine completion is faulty after all. Been experiencing an intermittent gear-clashing-like sound in first and reverse. Stopped by the mechanic's shop yesterday and was able to actually get the noise/action to happen when driving in reverse on a slight up grade. Then it disappears for awhile, but 25 miles later it showed up again with clutch disengaged waiting to turn at an intersection (maybe had the clutch pedal depressed for 15-30 seconds). A quick flick to neutral stops the noise and the waiting process for the next occurrence begins. It's as if the gears are not fully meshing at times. I haven't noticed anything weird while actually riding along in gear, only at a standstill, though there can be a linkage groan from first to second and second to third on occasion. I have had it happen when I back out of my garage, do a Y turn and put it into first. Putting it into reverse seems to trigger the action. The question is; should I drive it 200 miles down to Special Editions next week? I'd really hate to have it konk out on me half way down there and be at the mercy of some Bears fans in Illinois or Indiana. Any thoughts from you guys (Bears fans or not)?
Rich DrewekRich Drewek Supporting Member
Greg, Not really sure what's going on down there, I haven't been in there looking yet. Currently I can only tell you symptoms. In the process of trying to find a solution here, there and everywhere (you tube, samba, etc.) I came across this part which seems to be a nice replacement part regardless of my problem. About $30.
There's even a video of it.

http://unique-parts.com/?wpsc-product=new-clutch-pedal-shaft-design
WOLFGANGWOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member
Oooohhhh - the clutch TO release arms are pretty notorious for failing. The two fingers that hold the TO bearing have a tendency to crack at the welds (or other side of the welds). That would affect all gears - but maybe its just now going and soon you'll have grinding in all! It starting to crack would be same symptoms as cable stretching or starting to fray. They make heavy duty arm kits.

Picture of piece that fails - the two fingers crack.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/heavy-duty-clutch-throwout-arms/p2001093.jcwx
Rich DrewekRich Drewek Supporting Member
Will, a typical example: I back out of the garage into a Y turn to exit the driveway. Put the car into first and upon letting up on the clutch (sometimes just before) I get a nasty gear clashing sound...pop it into neutral, start the process over and that symptom disappears for awhile to reoccur another time miles down the road. It happens intermittenly. When it does happen, it comes on very suddenly, as if it just popped out of gear. As mentioned, last night while waiting for traffic to clear for a turn, in first gear, clutch pedal in, bam...gear clash chatter! Retreat , clutch in, back into first and all seems good. That's the best I can describe it.
Rich DrewekRich Drewek Supporting Member
Initially my mechanic thought about the gears too as you say Gordon, I questioned fluids as well, Bill. None of this stuff has been proven out. Once the problem appeared with my mechanic at the wheel, he was pretty surprised by the whole thing. Currently it's all a mystery. He was only able to recreate the action once in several attempts. My dilemma is whether I should attempt a 400 mile round trip to see Carey to fix my steering issues which I had planned for this coming week. If I made it there, perhaps Carey might have an answer to this issue. I'm also wondering about any type of warranty on the tranny. I basically bought the car as a deluxe roller through a now defunct dealer of theirs almost two years ago. Didn't get an engine running in it until this July. The car was actually built in 2007. I know Carey's always a pretty straight shooter...time wil tell. But first, the diagnosis is needed. Something tells me it's all going to be on my nickel.
Oh, the madness of it all.
J justinh
Sounds like you're not getting full engagement of first gear.

Check your transmission mounts. Are they in good condition? If the transmission is moving around from broken or worn mounts, it could affect your shifter alignment, especially going from reverse to 1st. And that "launch chatter" you mentioned could certainly be caused by a broken front mount.

Check the adjustment on your shifter. Could be your shifter base is too far forward to get good engagement on 1st.

After that, I'd suspect broken shift fork in transmission.
hillhill
i'm with Justin on this if it happens as you start to move believing you're in gear. The shifter plate would be my first stop.

At first I read that you were getting grinding as you put the car in gear and if that's the case I'd make sure I'm pushing the pedal fully down and nothing is bunched up under it, then look to the clutch cable adjustment.

Failing those a loose trans mount or it's internal. Synchros or shift arm.
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