What Else Can Cause Severe "Gear Lash"?

[JRA2000TL]

I replaced the front mount on my 89 with a NESHO reinforced mount, after veryfing that the front mount, was indeed shot. The car doesn't "jump" anymore on takeoff or shifting gears; however, when I let off the gas or back up, it seems to "jump". My thought was the rear motor mount is bad.

I did the motor mount test by setting the e-brake, raising the hood, and attempting to drive in forward and reverse with the e-brake on. I got 0 engine movement, even in R.

Is there anything else that can cause the car to be jumpy when you let off the gas? I still ordered a rear mount and am going to replace it anyway (not that expensive).

 

[jelloslug]

Is it a sort of "thump" feeling when you let off the gas and then hit it again?

 

[kevinspann]

I'd still say rear motor mount based on my experience with ones that were fully separated.

 

[93rev2sev]

I'd say that you've just experienced the reason ford spent so much time and effort on the engine roll dampers that so many here are eager to remove when they have reinforced mounts.

Even if you haven't removed them, your reinforced mount has changed the frequency of the engine and those dampers are now paperweights.

By the way, it's called "jounce".

 

[JRA2000TL]

Is it a sort of "thump" feeling when you let off the gas and then hit it again?

Yes, and when letting out on the clutch/stepping on the gas to back up.

I'd say that you've just experienced the reason ford spent so much time and effort on the engine roll dampers that so many here are eager to remove when they have reinforced mounts.

Even if you haven't removed them, your reinforced mount has changed the frequency of the engine and those dampers are now paperweights.

By the way, it's called "jounce".

It did this before I put in the front mount. This car was literally shot to ****-- creaky, squeaky, clunky, you name it. It "jumped" when accelerating or letting off the gas. The front reinforced mount has corrected the stepping on the gas (in forward gears) and upshifting part. Now it's just the letting off the gas or starting to back up where it still jumps. My 95 doesn't do this that bad and my 90 I had before didn't. I'm replacing the rear mount to see if that fixes it (got one from RA on the way); if not, who knows.

I'm also replacing the front tie rod ends (pass side wheel has play at the 3 and 9 position). I'll look around for anything else under there, possibly end links being loose just like I replaced on my 95 (although those won't cause "jounce").

 

[jimtash]

Glazed clutch and/or clutch cable bushing? Mine did the exact same thing especially in reverse because that bushing was missing. Cost me an axle from jumping so bad.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Glazed clutch and/or clutch cable bushing? Mine did the exact same thing especially in reverse because that bushing was missing. Cost me an axle from jumping so bad.

I read about this bushing on another post while doing a search. Something about a white bushing on top of the trans. Someone pried it back 3/4" toward the firewall and wedged a spacer in there and that fixed the problem. Does anyone have pics of this thing, know where to get one, how to fix it, etc.?

 

[jayro]

I read about this bushing on another post while doing a search. Something about a white bushing on top of the trans. Someone pried it back 3/4" toward the firewall and wedged a spacer in there and that fixed the problem. Does anyone have pics of this thing, know where to get one, how to fix it, etc.?

I dont have a pic, but if you remove the airbox lid, maf and maf to TB tube you can look straight down at the top of the trans and see the clutch cable bushing they are referancing. I believe they have replacment ones avialable at ShoSource.

 

[jelloslug]

Yes, and when letting out on the clutch/stepping on the gas to back up.



It did this before I put in the front mount. This car was literally shot to ****-- creaky, squeaky, clunky, you name it. It "jumped" when accelerating or letting off the gas. The front reinforced mount has corrected the stepping on the gas (in forward gears) and upshifting part. Now it's just the letting off the gas or starting to back up where it still jumps. My 95 doesn't do this that bad and my 90 I had before didn't. I'm replacing the rear mount to see if that fixes it (got one from RA on the way); if not, who knows.

I'm also replacing the front tie rod ends (pass side wheel has play at the 3 and 9 position). I'll look around for anything else under there, possibly end links being loose just like I replaced on my 95 (although those won't cause "jounce").

How are your sub frame bushings?

 

[JRA2000TL]

How are your sub frame bushings?

Not too terrible IIRC. Seems like the 95's were in worse shape.

 

[jelloslug]

My 90 has a gearlash "clunk" when you let off the gas and step on it. It had it before I rebuilt the transmission and it had it afterwards (I changed everything that rotated with new parts). At least for my car it's "normal"

 

[K-Dawg]

Glazed clutch and/or clutch cable bushing? Mine did the exact same thing especially in reverse because that bushing was missing. Cost me an axle from jumping so bad.

How is this worn bushing going to cause this problem?

My 93 does this also, especially with the AC on.

 

[jimtash]

How is this worn bushing going to cause this problem?

My 93 does this also, especially with the AC on.

The bushing provides tension on the cable by bracing itself and the cable housing against the bracket on top of the transmission. Without it you not only lose full tension, the cable cannot be adjusted properly causing all kinds of problems especially in reverse where the gearing is for torque. The pressure plate never fully releases the disc off the flywheel and only gets worse with more throttle causing the whole car to shake violently. Get a bushing on there ASAP or you'll end up breaking things. And Ford still carries them.

 

[93rev2sev]

Does this happen only during clutch engagement or does it happen when you're going from coasting at like 20 and give it a little gas?

 

[JRA2000TL]

The bushing provides tension on the cable by bracing itself and the cable housing against the bracket on top of the transmission. Without it you not only lose full tension, the cable cannot be adjusted properly causing all kinds of problems especially in reverse where the gearing is for torque. The pressure plate never fully releases the disc off the flywheel and only gets worse with more throttle causing the whole car to shake violently. Get a bushing on there ASAP or you'll end up breaking things. And Ford still carries them.

I saw what you are talking about tonight when I started my top 60k. It's really accessible once the airbox is removed. There's a white round bushing that the cable goes through before it ends at the bracket. Mine appeared to look ok and there was tension on the cable. Not sure how to "check" it though. I've tried the clutch pedal self adjust by pulling up on the pedal. The pedal barely comes up, maybe 1/8" and there is no clicking when pressing it back down.

While I have everything opened up and room there, it'd be nice if there was something I could check or adjust with the easy access.

I have a feeling my blocking rings in the tranny are just worn on a 256k mile car. Sometimes 1st and R are hard to get in gear and R sometimes grinds. Other times it shifts smooth as silk into those gears. No problems shifting into 2-5, so it's not a worn PP or TOB, I don't believe as it'd be difficult in all gears if that were the case, I think.

 

[jimtash]

The flywheel might be glazed if you're having difficulty getting into gear. What's the history on the transmission? Do you do the 3rd gear to 4th gear trick before putting it in reverse? I always do that. Go into 3rd gear, then 4th, and then reverse and it should never grind on you.

The bushing isn't white. It's black and on top of the transmission housing. It has an plastic outer housing on it that should also be black. How old is the cable? Have you ever looked at the clutch quadrant itself for missing teeth?

 

[trainguy1989]

The bushing isn't white. It's black and on top of the transmission housing. It has an plastic outer housing on it that should also be black.

The stock bushing is a two piece bushing that is white with a rubber insert. The rubber piece can deteriorate over time. ShoSource created their own bushing that is one piece and are SOLID. Their bushings are black.

 

[itwonder]

Check out suspension tension rod bushings, loose cups in subframe, and loose subframe bushings.

 

[JRA2000TL]

The flywheel might be glazed if you're having difficulty getting into gear. What's the history on the transmission? Do you do the 3rd gear to 4th gear trick before putting it in reverse? I always do that. Go into 3rd gear, then 4th, and then reverse and it should never grind on you.

The bushing isn't white. It's black and on top of the transmission housing. It has an plastic outer housing on it that should also be black. How old is the cable? Have you ever looked at the clutch quadrant itself for missing teeth?

I usually go to 2nd then R. Sometimes it grinds, sometimes it doesn't. No history on the tranny. Pretty sure it's original. I am somewhat in contact with the PO who was the 2nd owner of the car and owned it for about 10 years. I still have his # and he lives less than a mile from me. Clutch was replaced at 190k (has 256k now). Clutch cable has been replaced within the past few years. I haven't checked the clutch quadrant.

Check out suspension tension rod bushings, loose cups in subframe, and loose subframe bushings.

I'll crawl under there and take a look at everything.

 

[jimtash]

The stock bushing is a two piece bushing that is white with a rubber insert. The rubber piece can deteriorate over time. ShoSource created their own bushing that is one piece and are SOLID. Their bushings are black.

Factory Ford bushing.