Wierd Tranny Concerns

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Ok so I usually just chalk whatever abnormalities my car throws my way to the fact that it's a MSP with a constant menstration cycle, however, today, I am finally getting worried. Here is the deal.

Today, I was going to pick up some hibachi from Kani House for my comrades at work. I started off on my way and getting onto the interstate, I was turning right to go south so no stopping or slowing was required, so in 2nd, I gun it around the turn and continue blasting almost to redline (roughly 6 1/2 grand I think) until I am at like 85-90 mph. I don't normally do this but I was feeling very spirited and since I rarely do, I figured why not.

Here's where the dilemna kicks in. I was getting off at the next exit. So I start downshifting (and it's an inclined exit ramp). I come to a stop at the Mall of GA exit and am sitting there. I go to put the car into first for take off (when the light changes of course) and it won't go in, at all. So I take a sec. and attempt 2nd. It grinds but won't go in. I attempt 3rd. It goes in but the car is shaking (not violently but unusually). So I take it back out and after few minutes (and luckily right before the light changes) it goes to first, shakes less than when in 3rd. When I release the clutch, the clutch catches a lot sooner than normal daily driving.

Now it's done this before but as I said, I usually just chalk it up to it being a moody MSP. It also seems to have a time going into gear after a lengthy drive. Sometimes it shakes in 1st (but like above, it's not very violent, just noticable in 1st).

Anyone? My thoughts are that my LSD is about to (or did) already blow. My gears are worn and about to give. Lastly, my tranny is basically almost dead. Please someone give me good news that I just happened to put a bad bottle or two of tranny fluid in during my last oil change.

[dragtillidie]

I feel you completely!!! I left work today, did a u-turn like i always do, gave her less than half throttle.........bamm!! Felt like a broken axle except no broken axle. Being an ASE certified mechanic and reading these forums I instantly knew I had fallen victim to the infamous LSD. I'm screwed cause I'm broke right now and the part is gonna run 600 or so. Only difference b/w me and you is I couldn't move AT all. Had to get it towed even though I could still see my shop!! Oh well. Good luck to you and wish me luck!

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Good luck dude. Though your position sucks, I'd like to see if anyone's experienced this same problem or if someone can give an answer to what might be going on. If it is something going bad, I'd prefer to cut it off at the pass rather than do something foolish like ignorantly try and race something for fun and end up shattering my trans-mixion.

So bump for some answers please?

Also, in response to drag, you're alot more modified than I. Not that your specific mods put strain on the LSD/trans in normal daily driving but you're more inclined to do something like race or drive spirited. That's why I am thinking the bulk of my "spending cash" that WAS going to go toward modding the MSP is probably going to head into the 87 Colt.

[NEWBMAZDA]

Hey dragtillidie i feel you even more because the exact thing happend to me... my lsd broke and it cost me about $600 just for the piece... well dirty i dont think is the lsd or else you wouldnt be able to move... but i think it can be the clutch, maybe its time to change it

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Well thanks for the input but please don't take offense, could someone tell me for sure what they think it might be. Clutch sounds like a definite maybe just because it won't go into gear and that's what the clutch does is it not?

[NEWBMAZDA]

true also maybe the gear box??

[dragtillidie]

Dirty. Also check your clutch master and slave cylinder for leaks. If ur lucky thats the problem. If they lose pressure then it would do what ur sayin.

I got a welded LSD from street unit yesterday and hopefully should be done today and $1,100 later all said and done. (sigh)

[TheDirtyGoatee]

$1,100!? I thought I saw that PG sells them for like $620...

[dragtillidie]

yea but the 1,100 includes labor and the lsd

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Ahh....

[TheDirtyGoatee]

So Bump for some ideas on what this could be. I'd prefer to head this off at the pass rather than be stuck on the side of the road leaving me with no car for some weeks.

[dragtillidie]

did u check the clutch master and slave like i mentioned??..just curious

[TheDirtyGoatee]

No I did not. I was trying to get a few ideas together so I don't have to take my car to my buddy's house and jack it up a thousand times checking stuff.

That being said, is that something I could check fairly easily? Keep in mind I am slowly becoming more knowledgeable and not quite a car guru... yet.

[dragtillidie]

its really an easy check...no jacking of the car need be involved. clutch master and slave is in plain view...if u can't find the location lemme know or pm me and ill give u my # and walk u through it

[RacerXGirl]

its really an easy check...no jacking of the car need be involved. clutch master and slave is in plain view...if u can't find the location lemme know or pm me and ill give u my # and walk u through it

+1 check on these Dale...my old '78 Celica would eat through master cylinders like Cheetos...first clue was when it wouldn't go into first or second gear easily...then it'd be leaking fluid all over the garage...

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Thanks JA.

[Shadow102]

Unless something is seriously f-ed in the trans (which I would be willing to bet large amounts of money that its not) your probably looking at a clutch slave as that's a generally common occurance on proteges...you really don't see the master go out a lot if at all.

It won't be the clutch because what you described means the clutch was engaging even with the pedal pushed in....if you clutch goes out it with either slip or the car won't go anywhere.

If it was the diff there is no "its going out" it just snaps and is gone and trust me you will know when it goes.

The thing you have to remeber is on stock power or even basic bolt on power these transmissions are pretty stout and trouble free internally minus the diff. Yes 2nd and 3rd have there issues but only when you start pushing power through them and run sticky tires.

[TheDirtyGoatee]

OK... so out of all the opinions I've gotten here is what it could boil down to...

-Clutch Slave (which I have no f-in clue what that is or how to check and have been offered help, I appreciate it if I would've bothered... I am stupid like that)

OR

-Synchros are going bad or are bad

[aMaff]

my money's on the clutch slave. On an N/A protege it was pretty easy to get to. Miatas like to kill those too, I once had to drive back from an auto-x power-shifting and rev-matchig w/o the clutch lol

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Oh I can do that. It's called floating the gears in a big rig. Tricky sometimes but not too bad.

So I've been talking to Prodigy about a potential tranny rebuild in the works. While I have it open, might be a good time to weld the diff. However, I don't wanna leave my car where ever it gets worked on for too long as well as I can't really be out my car for an extended period of time. How long does it take to get it welded and what would the cost for that be (just for precautionary purposes)? It would be sick if the stealership sold me this car and the previous owner had a welded put in or even better, a quaife installed.

[aMaff]

so, instead of replacing a $40 clutch slave cyl, you're going for a transmission rebuild?

[powderider87]

well, sounds to be clutch, kinda weird that it did that just like that tho. How long ago did you do a tranny flush? id sometimes get grinds and impossible 2 gear downshifts because it just would not go in for the life of me. I did the 2 quarts synchromesh 1 quart lucas oil stabalizer and bam worked wonders and feels perfect. try doing that and see how it feels, it will be cheap and might give you your answer. if not it might rule something out. Good luck with whatever you do tho. oh there is a thread here somewhere about those two tranny oils i mentioned and how it has worked great.

[Shadow102]

so, instead of replacing a $40 clutch slave cyl, you're going for a transmission rebuild?

Sounds logical to me *shrug*

Seriously dale first and foremost if your looking to keep this cheap replace your gear oil with something such as synchromesh, ect. Also get you brake fluid flushed (you clutch system uses your brake fluid). Then if that doesn't work replace the slave and bleed the clutch system. (The slave is mounted in the front of the trans right behing the intake tube for the turbo). I think what your forgeting to put in your original post is that youre aproaching 120k miles and have not performed anything but basic mantinece on the car.

If it all continues after doing all that then yes you may need a trans rebuild even though many many people put a lot more miles on these transmissions without synchros going out. Btw the guy we use to weld our diffs live in the braselton area and charges about $80 to weld it. Turn around time for just the welding is about two days or so. Your looking at a good two weeks downtime depending on who does what and when.

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Ok. Points all taken. I was thinking about it before I read this today and I was saying "Wow, a tranny rebuild is going to be somewhat costly." Plus, the wife said the same thing "You sure it's not something simple and cheaper?" lol. So fair enough, I'll take the advice and go for the cheaper alternative for now. We'll see how it goes.

[aMaff]

I've also used Dave (the welder Korey referred to) and have seen a lot of his work, the dude can straight up weld, and his prices really aren't bad. If you do have it apart, he comes *very* highly recommended.

[TheDirtyGoatee]

Cool. Thanks for the tips. I may just wind up buying a new, nonwelded LSD (OEM) and get him to weld it, then when and if I do a rebuild, I'll take out the old, put in the new, weld the old and sell the old :D