I need help/advice on my AWD Tranny.. diagnosis, options, etc

[RedTurboEclipse]

ok guys.. i got some issues now with my tranny and i want to try and find out exactly wat it may be adn my options..

first off the problems..

1) when the clutch is pressed.. there is no noise.. however.. wen i release the clutch.. there is tons of noise.. a lot of friction-like noise of things rubbing.. the noise is louder than the engine and my exhaust.. but once i press the clutch.. the noise dissapears..

2) it is very hard to put the car in gear.. even when the car is off it takes some effort.. in 1-2 gear.. the shifter shakes.. and eventually it will pop out of gear.. 3-4 is not bad.. but also not good..

3) a while back.. everytime i left.. i would notice drops of tranny fluid on the ground.. however.. now.. its a puddle.. ..

im thinking of sending the tranny to shep or tre and having them rebuild it.. im really on a budget and dont really want to spend no more than $1000.. my goals for this car is only low 12s.. and i want it to be able to shift nicely..

so please tranny experts out there.. how bad is my tranny and what would you guys suggest.

 

[markGSX]

1. I'm pretty sure its a bad throwout bearing. You need to remove the tranny to replace it, but the part itself is very cheap ($15?) and easy to replace.

2. & 3. Sounds like you're losing hydraulic fluid, not tranny fluid. Try pumping the clutch several times before you shift. If that makes it easier to go into gear, then this is definitely the problem. Then again, you may have lost so much fluid by now that even that won't help. It's most likely a leaky clutch slave or master cylinder.

I think your tranny is fine. But I'm not an expert.. just an unfortunate dsm owner who went through my own transmission nightmare. I'd like to see what a real guru says about these problems though. On DSMtalk you might ask the guy named Taboo, he is a real expert.