Resolved 1G gears still grinding!! please help!!

[Zultane]

Alright. When I bought the car, it grinds into gears, and the clutch drags. It moves perfectly fine if the car isn't running. But when it's running, it won't go into gear unless I force it. Also, if I step on the clutch, even in neutral, it bogs the engine, and will kill it. I've searched these forums, along with ones on different sites.

I have changed the master cylinder, and the slave cylinder. That didn't do anything. So this whole weekend, I spent time, and replaced the clutch. After seeing the old clutch, I was convinced I finally figured out the problem, as the old pressure plate was worn, and clutch disc had a crack. I got excited and put it back together. Only to find out, its doing the same exact thing.

During my search, I found something about missing engine to trans bolts being missing. That this could cause it to grind. It even had a picture of one that may have been missing. It's on the backside of the engine. Next to the rear motor mount, right above the speedometer cable, right below the starter. The guy had a missing bolt there.

Immediately to myself I thought "I never even took a bolt out from that area, maybe mines set up differently" so, I stuck my phone back in there, turned on the flash, and snapped a picture. Sure enough, I don't have a bolt there, and apparently, it wasn't there when I bought it. And I can physically see a gap between the two.

My questions, could this be the cause of my clutch drag that I've been fighting since I got the car? (I don't drive it, it's been on stands). And, if so does anyone know the size of this bolt? Or where I can get it? I just want to drive the damn thing...

I can try and figure out getting a picture on here.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[Dsmkauai]

Did you try to spin the trans while it was out of the car? And as far as the bolt it could be throwing things off. Go to ace and find a metric bolt that matches. The size is probably 1.5-1.25 thread and the bolts probably 20-25mm long and mine has a 12mm head with a washer.

 

[Zultane]

no, I didn't Try and spin the trans... I didn't even think about it. I just stuck it inn the corner while I replaced the clutch.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Ya I would have tried to shift it in all gears, to ensure its not the trans. Which in your case sounds like it may be. Did it seems like the trans went back in easy, did you use a clutch alignment tool prier to installing the trans?

 

[93AWDDSM]

please do not try and force it into gear, you will ruin your syncrhos. I would do this:
-check master/ slave cylinder for leakage(if that checks out)
-bleed system and slave cylinder
-check the Clutch pedal assembly for wear** A Must for years 90-94
-check clutch fork position

 

[Tyeler18]

Yes there NEEDS to be a bolt back there. I will find you the length real quick.

Also did you bleed BOTH the master and the slave? When you crack the bleeder on the slave and hold the clutch pedal down you are ONLY bleeding the master. To bleed the slave- crack the bleeder, compress the slave (by pushing on the clutch fork), close the bleeder, release the clutch fork and allow the slave to fully extend. It should only take 2-3 times to do this. BUT if you're missing that bolt and can clearly see a gap, that is your biggest issue right there.

Edit: Bolt size is M8x1.25 and 60mm long. As per: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...ngth-pitch-location-part-number-pictures.html

 

[Zultane]

Tyeler18 - THANK YOU!!! I went and bought that bolt. It worked!!!

Its still a little rough into 3rd, and occasionally reverse. I Took it up to the autozone I've been going to all weekend, to show Freddy (the worker) that its running good. He wanted to see me take it down the street.

First gear was good, second gear shifted good... After i was in boost for a few seconds,, the car dies, and wouldn't start again. I checked fuel pressure was good. I pushed on all my spark plug wires, #2 "popped" back on. I was able to start it. And limp it home. Miss firing really really bad... Coil pack? CAS? Or maybe plugs and wires?

 

[Zultane]

So for those who have watched some of my previous posts... when I bought this car, the clutch was dragging so bad...

First thing I changed was the slave. The boot was ripped to shreds.I was convinced that was the issue. Well, that didn't do anything.

I did every adjustment, jacks video, everything. Still nothing.

So I decided to try replacing the clutch.after seeing the condition of the pressure plate, and clutch disc. I was ecstatic. They were both messed up, bad.

Put everything back together, start it up! Andddddd... Still drags....

In my frustration, I got on here. And scoured the forums, for, ohhhhh, 2 and a half hours or so. And I came across an interesting thread about missing a bolt that mounts the transmission to the engine. Underneath the starter, next to the rear motor mount. And he had a picture. The first thing I think to myself is "Well, I never took a bolt out of there... and I know damn well I never put one in there...)

I stick my phone back in there, turn on the flash, take a picture, and sure enough, no bolt... Next morning I run to Home Depot, get the bolt I need. And no more drag! But... 3rd was difficult to get into most the time, first sometimes. I feared a bent shift fork, or bad synchros...

I ran over everything again. And find a transmission bolt loose. Unknown as to why. In the midst of trying to torque it down. I apparently was testing my super human strength, and snapped the head off. Ha, yes, laugh at me, I encourage it.

So I go and get my bolt extractor. Trying to figure out how the hell I'm gonna get it in there. I put my hand on the shift cable bracket, and the damn thing moves forward! So, I adjust it, and actually tighten it...

Anddddd now, no clutch drag, no grinding, goes smoothly in every gear. And now it's wayyyy more fun! I hated looking at it on stands for a week.

 

[GSTurbo1]

congrats pedro!

 

[Kdouglas89]

Congrats dude! I love the feeling of finally fixing something, and it working properly!

 

[sccrbrandon4788]

I too have replaced the slave cylinder, and even the master, and still find it difficult to go into first or third. Do you have any pictures of what was loose on the shift linkage? I haven't messed with it before. I was going to replace the clutch because I just figured the pressure plate has lost its spring over the years. I have a leaking seal so I was going to have to drop a lot of money and the transmission to fix the clutch and seal.

 

[Zultane]

I can send you pictures from my phone brandon. I will take a picture of the shift linkage bracket, and circle what I tightened. Also, I'll show you where that hidden bolt is that mounts the trams to the engine.

Pm me if that will work for you.

 

[98 Eclipse GS]

Congratulations man! It sucks seeing dsm's in jack stands!

 

[2slow4now]

Change the title to "clutch drag, What to check." Something like that so the next draggin clutch searcher will find this. Might as well post some pics up to make it more informative. You never know somebody might end up recommending rep points when your thread helps them out.

Thumbs up for fixing it.

 

[Zultane]

How do I change the title?