fricker66
Active Member
I've been noticing an issue with my 89 for several months now and the issue has gotten progressively more consistent and caused a strange "death" sound while driving home on Friday. It is my daily driver so I'm looking for expert insight as to a likely cause so that I can attempt to minimize down-time or perhaps make a final judgement call on having an 18 year old car for the daily commute. Here's the background:
Winter of 2003, Steve "projectSHO89" replaced the clutch and blocking rings in the all original 89 drivetrain (9.75" clutch upgrade was performed by dealership). Factory clutch replacement kit was purchased from Mark Nunnally. Also opted for the ceramic TOB from SHONUT. This was right at 100k and car now has 135k.
Several months ago I started noticing an issue with getting 1st gear to engage after backing out of a parking spot at my son's school. A quick shift into 2nd, release of the clutch to begin forward movement and I could get the shifter into 1st. Never any grinding, just felt "blocked" out of 1st. No grinding into reverse either. It was sporadic at first so no immediate panic as to what would possibly be causing this issue.
For the past week and a half, it's been near consistent. Again, mainly after reversing out of a parking spot and then upon engaging 1st. 2nd was my prior option to forward movement but it too is feeling "blocked" out. I've found another quick shift into reverse, slight grinding, and then right back into 1st (all without releasing the clutch) will get me on my way. Again, certainly knew this wasn't "right" but as being a tax director there isn't a lot of free time on my part right now to start diagnosing.
Of course, panic finally set in on Friday while on my way to pick up my son from his school. No problems leaving work, 15 mile commute at speed with no problems and then get on a main feeder road in the suburb. While taking off on flat road from a stop, there was a very noticeable rubbing sound as if something was wrapped around the halfshaft or front wheel. It had been raining for most of the commute. Regardless, this noise was present while under forward movement for roughly 10 seconds. Mainly enough to cause the panic as I was needing to get my son picked up without delay. The noise went away on its own. There were several more stoplights and bumper to bumper traffic as I went the remaining 3 miles to his school. No more noise, nothing. I babied it home, roughly 5 miles, as wife was out of town and I didn't want to get stranded with my 4 year old son.
I did some quick visible checks. No visible puncture in the tranny case. No leaking fluid. Wheel has no play in it. (Steve replaced both front bearings roughly 5k ago) Subframe is tight to the body. Clutch pedal adjustment resulted in no clicks from the quadrant.
I started it up today in the garage. No noise at idle, no noise upon reversing or forward movement. I did experience a slight delay in getting the shifter into 1st. I'll most likely take it out for another quick spin tomorrow to check for more issues before possibly getting stranded during the daily commute...
This thing has been babied for its entire life. Started out new in the family and I purchased it from the parents so I know its entire history. Thoughts on possible causes? Sucks not much of the likely issues can be diagnosed without taking it apart again. Sure wasn't much fun last time and I know Steve isn't looking forward to doing it again! Thanks in advance.
Winter of 2003, Steve "projectSHO89" replaced the clutch and blocking rings in the all original 89 drivetrain (9.75" clutch upgrade was performed by dealership). Factory clutch replacement kit was purchased from Mark Nunnally. Also opted for the ceramic TOB from SHONUT. This was right at 100k and car now has 135k.
Several months ago I started noticing an issue with getting 1st gear to engage after backing out of a parking spot at my son's school. A quick shift into 2nd, release of the clutch to begin forward movement and I could get the shifter into 1st. Never any grinding, just felt "blocked" out of 1st. No grinding into reverse either. It was sporadic at first so no immediate panic as to what would possibly be causing this issue.
For the past week and a half, it's been near consistent. Again, mainly after reversing out of a parking spot and then upon engaging 1st. 2nd was my prior option to forward movement but it too is feeling "blocked" out. I've found another quick shift into reverse, slight grinding, and then right back into 1st (all without releasing the clutch) will get me on my way. Again, certainly knew this wasn't "right" but as being a tax director there isn't a lot of free time on my part right now to start diagnosing.
Of course, panic finally set in on Friday while on my way to pick up my son from his school. No problems leaving work, 15 mile commute at speed with no problems and then get on a main feeder road in the suburb. While taking off on flat road from a stop, there was a very noticeable rubbing sound as if something was wrapped around the halfshaft or front wheel. It had been raining for most of the commute. Regardless, this noise was present while under forward movement for roughly 10 seconds. Mainly enough to cause the panic as I was needing to get my son picked up without delay. The noise went away on its own. There were several more stoplights and bumper to bumper traffic as I went the remaining 3 miles to his school. No more noise, nothing. I babied it home, roughly 5 miles, as wife was out of town and I didn't want to get stranded with my 4 year old son.
I did some quick visible checks. No visible puncture in the tranny case. No leaking fluid. Wheel has no play in it. (Steve replaced both front bearings roughly 5k ago) Subframe is tight to the body. Clutch pedal adjustment resulted in no clicks from the quadrant.
I started it up today in the garage. No noise at idle, no noise upon reversing or forward movement. I did experience a slight delay in getting the shifter into 1st. I'll most likely take it out for another quick spin tomorrow to check for more issues before possibly getting stranded during the daily commute...
This thing has been babied for its entire life. Started out new in the family and I purchased it from the parents so I know its entire history. Thoughts on possible causes? Sucks not much of the likely issues can be diagnosed without taking it apart again. Sure wasn't much fun last time and I know Steve isn't looking forward to doing it again! Thanks in advance.
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