Clutch trouble......SDPATT? DrivinHard?

[cRaZySHO.]

I just had a new clutch installed last Thursday. Along with it I had put in was: Fidanza flywheel, new flywheel bolts, Ford pressure plate and clutch disc, SHONut ceramic TOB, upper and lower shaft bushings, felt washer, and flywheel dowels. Today, with 125 miles on the new setup, I'm driving home from Home Depot, at about 30mph in 3rd gear. All of a sudden the stick pops into neutral, the tranny(clutch, or gears, I don't know which) starts grinding really bad, and the car brings itself to a stop, without me hitting the brakes. At this point my heart is in my throat. And I'm only 1/2 mile from my house. So I try to get it moving again. I let the clutch out, and it starts to go, but as soon as I slow down, it starts to grind again. As long as I keep accelerating, it won't grind, in any gear. And as soon as I pulled up to my house, I push the clutch in to take the left turn into my driveway, and with the clutch in, it grinds itself to a halt again. I looked under the car, no ATF. And I have babied the car ever since I got it home. I'm having it towed down to my tranny guy's shop tomorrow. Any clue what went wrong?

 

[twr]

Sounds like the tranny to me - did you do the clutch yourself or did a shop do it?? I only asked because it's easy to forget filling the tranny back up. First thing would be to check the fluid level.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

I wouldn't be surprised if they forgot to put tranny fluid in there.

 

[drivinhard]

yeah, start with the fluid frown

 

[cRaZySHO.]

I just got in from outside with my dad, and there is no fluid in it at all. I think it leaked from the passenger side axle seal. My dad wanted me to start it to see what was going on(he's been a mechanic for about 35 years). And it idled fine, and it pulled off ok, but when I went to reverse, the car just locked up and wouldn't move. So I had to drive it around the block, and when I pulled back into my spot, my dad heard the grinding. So we jacked it up, and it puddled about 2 quarts under the tranny. And it looks like it's coming directly from the passneger side axle seal. I have pics on the digi cam. Give me about 20 minutes and I'll have them hosted. Thanx guys, great to have you here.

 

[cRaZySHO.]

I just hosted the pics. Can you guys give them a look? It looks like the axle seal, right? The vein on the tranny I took a picture of, is right below the seal. It all dripped down that, into a huge puddle in my driveway. I couldn't get the pictures to link, so try this- I hate my tranny!!!

Click on the SHO Pics 2 album. If that doesn't work, go to Photoisland.com, and log in is crazysho88, password- sho.

Thanx again guys.

<small>[ October 22, 2002, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: crazySHO88 ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation. It looks like the shop that did your clutch work owes you a new transmission.

 

[cRaZySHO.]

Do you think that the axle seal could have been damaged upon installation? I never had any leaks from the tranny before this. It just seems that this a little too coincidental that this all happened 4 days after my clutch job.

 

[SHO_Driver]

Yes the seal most likely got ruined when they pulled out the driveshaft. They should've ordered and replaced them regardless. It could also be a case of improper seal alignment, maybe the tech placed it to far inside the bore causing a drastic leak.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

start pricing out a rebuild transmission, and try to slip a quaife into the parts list too wink Sorry that you have to go through this.

 

[cRaZySHO.]

I'm having the car towed today at the expense of the shop. They said they were sorry it happened and will take it apart to look at it. I alos talked to my dads buddy at another transmission shop. He said it sounds like a direct problem with installation. He also said if they don't hold up to their work, bring the car to him, and he can find evidence in the tranny to show it was their fault so I can sue them. And about the Quaife, my dad said last night,"If the tranny is going to be taken apart, and you planned on getting one anyway, why not just let me lend you the money, and have one put in?". And I think Josh at SHONut is going to have a big order from me real soon. Anyone know where to get a Quaife? Thanx again guys.

 

[twr]

Josh can help you out with the quaife

 

[shojuan]

crazySHO88:
And about the Quaife, my dad said last night,"If the tranny is going to be taken apart, and you planned on getting one anyway, why not just let me lend you the money, and have one put in?"

That's a cool dad you got! I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation but the silver lining is you got a great dad that's eager to turn a bad situation into a good one for his son. thumbs_u

Good luck!

Rick

 

[cRaZySHO.]

So bad news guys. I just came back from the tranny shop with my car on the lift. There is a hole in the case about the size of a lollipop stick. My guess- shear pin. What do you think? Now I just need to find out where to buy a new case. Also, does Josh sell Quaife's? I didn't see them on his site. I took pics, give me some time to post. Thanx.

 

[drivinhard]

I'd go through that trans pretty good before you just put a new case on it and a new diff. You may be better off rebuilding a good known core.

 

[Millersho]

I'd replace both axles while you are there.

Have you had a CV boot replaced in the last few months?