Tech_Greek

My problem,

I was coming home today, went to down shift into second at about 40 MPH and it started to grind, not a casual grind like if you missed a gear but like a soft smooth grind...

DONT TELL ME IT’S THE TRANSMISSION! The Thunderbird I have has a blown transmission in it.

I know it makes a whining noise in N until I put in the clutch and it’s particularly hard to go into first/reverse after a long sitting.

- Tech

Paradox

iTrader: (1)

sounds like bad synchro's, go to a junker and find another trans. i got mine for $100

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

i have an 82 tranny i dont need.

Elysian

wouldn't want to put a 82 tranny in a 85... too much work when its just as easy to get a 83-85 transmission...

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

i thought it went 79-80, 81-83, and 84-85?

jays83gsl

I have an 84 5 speed for sale. 12A

Elysian

yeah something like that, i wasn't sure bout the 83, i know 83 has a lot of similarities to 84

karism

Your thrust bearing is on the way out,if you have a winning noise that goes away when you depress the clutch.

For the grinding to 2nd gear,you have to look at your clutch.Either your clutch isnt releasing properly,or your hydraulics are on the way out.

karis

Tech_Greek

I think the hydraulics are on the way out and the bearings going out because I know when I pumped it I could down shift to second.

How hard are the hydraulics to replace?

- Tech

karism

Their not hard to work on at all.You allso only need basic wrenches to take the master and slave cylinder off.

However.....
Have you checked if your slave /master cylinder is leaking?(Master cylinder will be easy to see,as the paint on the firewall will probably be damaged by the brakefluid.Yo will be able to see if the slave is leaking underneat the rubber that covers the shaft going to the clutch fork)It is allso sometimes easy to see when the cylinders are faulty,as the brakefluid turns dark/black.

I would suggest that you checked your cylinders first.Maybe the system isnt faulty,and just needs to be properly bled.

karis

Tech_Greek

I know the brake master cyln is leaking, always has been.

I think I'll go ahead and replace all the hydraulics...does the clutch resv take brake fluid too?

- Tech

karism

Oh,ok!

Then it will be a easy fix!

Yes it does.I think you guys in USA might refer to it in a different manner than we do,but its the same fluid as used in the brake resv.

From what i have read,you can buy the cylinders(master and slave) from Autozone.

Tech_Greek

Screw that,

I don't trust AutoZone anymore, have had too many bad experiences in the past, I'd much rather pay top dollar overpiced for mazdatrix or VB.

You've got the brake master (looking from the bumper to the windshield) on the right, then you've got the clutch resv on the far right and what's the little resv under the AC Compressor?

- Tech

Tech_Greek

Clutch fluid was brown...:|

karism

Resv under the a/c compressor?Can you take a pic for me?

Then it definately needs to be replaced/overhauled

Tech_Greek

mortenf

The noises you describe are exactly what a bad throwout and pilot bearing would make. A bad throw out bearing would also make it hard to shift into first and reverse. The noise would also go away as soon as you depress the clutch.

I suggest you change them both, its not a big deal. Just undo the shifter, the master sylinder, the bolts to the tranny (remember what goes where) and the axle (dont know what you guys call it, propellor shaft or something?).

The removal of the throw out bearing requires no tools at all, just slide the old off, and the new in. The pilot bearing can be a bit worse, do a search for "removing pilot bearing". I use a modified slide hammer. The bearing sits inside the eccentric shaft, be careful when removing it, dont damage the shaft!

Removing and installing the gearbox should take about a couple of hours, and thats counting the coffe and cigarette pauses too!

Tech_Greek

Well,

Is it bad to wait until about a month from now? I planned on getting a new light weight steel flywheel and clutch/pressureplate and getting Jose to do it because I've got to have it as a daily driver.

- Tech

mortenf

Isnt that bad, the question is how long you are able to shift! I had exactly the same problem with my RX7, i dont remember how long it lasted, but i would say that if you just noticed the sound, my bet would be that it WILL last a month. Wont do too much harm either, it will just be harder and harder to get in gear until a point where it wont.

Forgot to say that you should support the engine while the tranny is out, a long piece of steelrod will do, or a engine hoist. Also, dont remember to thighten the flywheel nut to 300 pounds, and use grease where the pilot bearing goes.

Good luck!

Morten

Tech_Greek

I'll be paying Jose to do the flywheel, clutch, pressureplate, etc.

- Tech

mortenf

Get him to do the pilot bearing to! Cheap and simple insurance!

Got to go, good luck with the car!

Tech_Greek

Thanks,

Will the clutch/flywheel make a big diff in my 0-60 times?

- Tech

mortenf

Depends on how bad your shifting was before you changed it, and how good it becomes after the swap!

No really, since it will have no effect on engine power itself, it wont give you extra umph. It will however make the engine rev up faster, and allow you to shift quicker, because it will be less slack when engaging the clutch and letting it back out again. That said, it dont think you will experience massive decrease in your 0-60 time, but i think you will feel that the car will become more responsive and fun to drive.

By the way, you will experience hassle the first few times with the lightened flywheel. You will have to start at a higher RPM.