Clunk!

[coltpython]

was driving down the road today, in fourth gear, going about 35 mph. when all of a sudden I heard a loud CLUNK, I pulled over and stopped. as I was slowing down I heard some bad grinding. I thought for sure my tranny was gone. but I could still move through all the gears. I was about a mile from a friends house, took it real slow there. and I noticed some tranny fluid dripping. from what I could tell it was coming from the speedo cable. the car goes into gear fine tho' but when I move it, it starts to grind REAL bad and doesn't want to move. I'm stumped. any ideas? and how can I fix it?

my only guess is the axle. but I have no knowlege of how to even begin diagnosis and fixing it if that's the case.

'95 MTX. any help is much appreciated.

 

[billyshoe]

Trans. is gone, rather the differential pin a has ripped out your bellhousing. the typical failure.

 

[coltpython]

I thought if the diff. was gone you couldn't move through the gears? I have all gears including reverse. had to drive it home today from the friends (about a 40 mile drive), and noticed it only grinds when slowing down or when staying at a constant speed. when speeding up it's as if nothing is wrong.

I use her as a daily driver, and no other means of transportation are available right now. I need all the help I can get.

I'll do a search on the differential to see what else has already been discussed.

 

[munkee]

I lost a diff pin in my tranny last winter and I could get into and out of all the gears just fine. Drove it on and off the trailer with no problem, it drove just fine. When the pin went, it shot a chunk off of the bottom of the tranny. The dripping trans fluid is because your case is either cracked or missing a piece. I am pretty sure the grinding noise you are hearing is just the gear teeth making contact without any fluid between them. Jack up the front drivers side and check out the bottom of the tranny.

 

[coltpython]

ok.. I've got tranny fluid everywhere... looks like a seal broke. I'm not sure... I've come to terms somethings gonna have to be done to the tranny, probably a rebuild.

I figure if I rip the trans out myself I may be able to save some money by taking it in for a rebuild that way. but I can't figure out how to get it out... do I have to pull the whole engine out? if so, I don't have an engine harness or anything so I won't be able to do it. what's the price range and amount of time I'm gonna be looking at if I take it in as is?

<small>[ September 05, 2002, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: coltpython ]</small>

 

[Konos44]

What's it cost? How much if your left AND right nut worth to you?

I went through a tranny rebuild about a month ago. Course the problem was not my diff, the ******* I bought the car off didn't put any fluid in the bloody thing. Fine around town, but 20 mins on a highway and BANG! I did the clutch while I was in there. Cost me $3,266 Canadian. Or my left nut, plus half my right one.

Good luck with it.

Why Ford put such a weak diff/tranny in these things will always be a mystery to me... But hey, why should we second guess them. Afterall, their motto is - Ford - Where Quality is Job #1!

 

[SHOLESS4NOW]

I got a rebuild done for 3300.00, and found the seccond time its cheaper to get a used one. Perdonally if I break another one its quallife for me.

 

[hooterville]

Go on ebay and buy a transmission. It will cost you a few hundred but I think it is better than spending $3000+ for a rebuilt one. I usually see a couple trannys up there at any given time, though they are usually automatic transmissions. Wish you luck.