horrible grinding + no start

[gonzospy]

What's up guys? I just purchased a 91 laser n/t last week. The previous owner said the he just installed a new clutch about 500 miles ago. Yesterday i was just cruising at about 35-40 mph in fourth gear, when all of the sudden i heard and felt a loud grinding noise coming from the tranny. I pushed in the clutch, but the noise continued and the car started to slow down, stuck in fourth gear, until it stalled. I tried to start it up, but the motor won't turn over. You can hear the starter engaging, but nothing turns. I checked the timing belt and it is fine. The marks on the cam gears still line up. I called the previous owner today and he said that when he replaced the clutch he didn't replace the throwout bearing. If anyone could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Pete

 

[GVR4592]

If you're sure it's the transmission, then you'll probably need to pull it and see what's going on.

 

[erebusknight]

so it did not disengage when you put the cluth in. My guess is that some the bearing got destroyed or something in there went haywire, but you should be able to man handle the stick out of any gear to neutral
Why would you not replace the bearing. I got an exedy OEM cluth kit on EBay for $120 and it came with alignment tool, pressure plate, clutch disk, throwout bearing, and the clip for the bearing. Silly previous owner

 

[mopardwh]

Could be the tranny itself. I've seen a clutch still work with a completely destroyed TOB. Looks like yor pullin the tranny.

 

[PaulN]

Sounds exactly like the problem I had. I found the fly wheel bolts backed out. I'll link my thread to you so you can see my symptoms. In any case, you'll most likely need to take the transmission out like someone else stated above.

 

[PaulN]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223685

 

[jtmcinder]

The idea of it being flywheel bolts also fits the fact that the car was being under-revved at the time.

- Jtoby

 

[PaulN]

That and the fact that the clutch was just replaced 500 miles ago. If the installer didn't use any threadlocker, I am surprised it lasted this long without trouble. I used blue loctite on my first install (I didn't have any red at the time and didn't think it mattered much) and 5,000 miles later the bolts backed out causing very similar symptoms. This time though I used red loctite and let it sit 48 hours. Also, made sure the bolts were torqued down good and snug.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[erebusknight]

any thread substances can mess with torque specs but are sometimes needed. I say if the bolts look clean then just put em in dry. Its all personal preferance for much of it though

 

[gonzospy]

Thanks guys. As soon as it stops raining, i'll pull the tranny and let you know what i find.