So I was on the way to Baltimore this morning from Clarksburg, WV, and I was going up a hill on I-79 and as I was accelerating the car makes a horrible clunking sound and starts to jerk. I pull over and shift to neutral push in the clutch nothing happens. I let the clutch out and a clunking and violent pulsing/clunking noise starts. I put it into first and try to move the car and it just jerks and doesn't move. I've had it towed back to my apartment complex, I don't know what the problem might be. I love my FC but my holiday plans are ruined and I'm short on money as is. I've got half a mind to sell it. Can anyone enlighten me on what might be the problem?

Thanks and Merry Christmas,

Bin

 

step one: jack up the car at all four corners (or at least the rear), supporting the frame with jackstands and wheel chocks at the front.

step two: with the car in neutral and the ebrake disengaged, try to turn the rear wheels.

If this is difficult to do (spinning the wheels by hand) then you may have a rear end problem, though was the car towed ona flatbed, or just snagged by the front wheels and towed as if on a car dolly? if towed like on a dolly did it make noise then too?

step three: put car back on ground, remove clutch inspection cover and see what you can see (also suggest removing the rubber grommet in the bellhousing to get an underneath view.

It doesnt sound good, but hey, NA transmissions are cheap and plentiful, same with NA rear diff's.

But it sounds like your clutch fork or something int eh clutch assembly just shat a brick.

step four if step three yield inconclusive results: jack the front of the car up and drain the gear oil from the trans. If there's chunks or lots of shavings that comes out, its bad news.

 

It was towed on a flat bed but when I pushed it into a parking spot at my apartment complex it didn't make any sound. I'll try and post a video tomorrow of what is happening to it.

 

Then it sounds like a clutch or trans issue, which is a lot less hassle to fix than replacing a rear differential.

From the description , it sounds as if the clutch may have grenaded (possibly lost a finger). Get a flashlight/mirror and have a look through the inspection cover.

Was the clutch pedal jerky at all (as if something was pushing back) when you pushed the clutch in?

with the car off can you still row through all the gears?

 

I haven't checked it since this morning due to my frustration but I do believe with the pedal pushed in I could still go through the gears, the only problem was when I tried to move the car or let the pedal go in neutral.

 

possible input shaft failure then perhaps. Sounds more like a trans issue than a rear end issue. consult local junkyard or craigslist for a spare if you're in a rush.

 

So just replace the whole transmission?

 

That would be the cheapest solution yes. NA boxes are relatively cheap (much cheaper than a rebuilt trans), but just make sure thats what it is.

 

This may be my problem.

Grabbing

A grabbing or chattering clutch will produce a very severe vibration or jerking motion when the vehicle is accelerated from a standstill. Even when the operator slowly releases the clutch pedal, it will seem like the clutch pedal is being pumped rapidly up and down. A loud bang or chattering may be heard, as the vehicle body vibrates.

Clutch grabbing and chatter is caused by problems with components inside the clutch housing (friction disc, flywheel, or pressure plate). Other reasons for a grabbing clutch could be due to oil or grease on the disc facings, glazing, or loose disc facings. Broken parts in the clutch, such as broken disc facings, broken facing springs, or a broken pressure plate, will also cause grabbing.

 

might be a driveline at the least. my driveline u joint snapped when i shifted into fourth a few weeks ago. it was shaking violently in gear while gas was released and in nuetral. check the u joints look for any wear. or looseness of the joints. my front one went bad. if it broke completely then it wont go anywhere haha. sound more like the clutch thing though if it pulses and all that. once on my ford f150 i had a similar problem so i unbolted where the master cylinder for the clutch went into the firewall the part inside there made a popping noise and came out and i pushed it back in and bolted back on and it was fine. might try that. not sure if its possible on the fc. anyways good luck

 

oh and btw you can get a used driveline for like 25 bucks. should last a few years of casual driving.

 

Thanks for the info, go a call last night from the shop I took it to and the transmission is dead, the guy drained the transmission and pieces of gears came out. Anyone have a used S4 N/A Transmission they want to sell. I have a WTB Thread.

 

Sorry to hear that it was the trans. But if you didnt mind the drive you could have mine. Im going to a turbo setup and wont be using my old s4 na trans at all.

 

u can use an s5 trans with no problem as well, i think you just need to get the trans crossmember from the s5 car as well for it to work,.

 

Thanks for the quick information and offers, I found one in good condition and its fairly inexpensive. Its located in Christiansburg, VA and since I'm going to Lynchburg this weekend I'll just pop over and get it.