intermittent "bucking" in reverse - 94 MTX

[Bigmatt]

I usually do my own work but had a "word of mouth" ex Ford Tech that owned a shop do a bottom end rebuild on my SHO and clutch. They completely wrecked the car. I have slowly gotten it back to normal. However, I think the clutch may have been installed improperly as the car or engine "bucks" violently when I let out the clutch and try to reverse. It's as if the clutch is half grabbing the flywheel. I put an aluminum SHO source flywheel in the car. It doesn't buck all the time, but 75% of the time it does. This is why I think it's the clutch and not the transmission. The car has newer axles, and I just did the motor mounts today and that did not fix it. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[jimtash]

Check to make sure the clutch cable bushing where it goes through the top of transmission is there. If it's missing, the symptoms are exactly as you describe. Mine broke a CV joint due to the violent bucking that happened only in reverse because of it.

 

[rubydist]

I second what Jimtash said - I had the exact same experience.

Also, if the motor mounts are softened due to oil leaks (particularly the rear one for this problem) you can experience that issue, so you were on the right track to suspect mm.

 

[Bigmatt]

Thanks guys…

I checked the transaxle, and there is no bushing in that little ****** the cable goes through, so my cable is just free hanging where I can pull it back and forth through the hole. I take I need a bushing! Gonna order one on shosource and I'll let ya'll know if that fixes it! Crossing my fingers…

 

[jimtash]

It will. Make sure to prop up the clutch pedal from underneath with a block of wood or whatever fits before taking the cable off. It releases the pedal adjuster and allows you to easily pull the cable off the fork. After you've reinstalled everything, adjust the tension by pushing in the clutch pedal and pulling up on it with your foot several times so the slack is taken up.

 

[Bigmatt]

That was it! Glad I got advice from you all. I had a mechanic wanting to open up the transmission. Easy fix for something that seemed so major! Thanks!

 

[LOUDSHO92]

A bad rear motor mount tends to causing bunking when going in reverse.