Transmission Prob. (Complex)

[gridlyne]

I Apologize for the length of this post in advance. I wish I could post it in Drivetrain but I do not have the qualifications yet. So newbie it is.

I purchased a 90 Eagle Talon TSI. Its AWD turbo 5 speed with 119k miles on the original Odometer and Engine.

When I bought the car I knew that the tranny was shot and I would have to replace it and the clutch. No problem (So I thought).

I take the tranny off an find that one of the Ears on the block is broken off and the previous owned had some guy weld another bracket to the chassis to secure the transmission into. It seems to be working Alright. So anyway, I bought a new/used tranny that works and installed a ACT 2100 clutch. I resurfaced the flywheel and called it a day. I put everything back in (Using the make-shift bracket istead of that broken ear). Everything was in except the axels and I decided to depressed the clutch. To my amazement I saw the entire transmission move away from the block about an inch.
Me and my friend, double and triple checked everything to see what could be wrong. Everything was in properly and thought that maybe the problem was just because the axels werent in to supprt the transmission. So we put everything in and completed the job and tried it again. It still moves but not as much as before. Now it moves away from the block about a quarter of an inch maximum.

So now the problem:
The transmission didn't want to shift into ANY gear except 1st. After a little messing around and bending of the shifter cable bracket, it can now shift into 1,3,4, and 5th. It CAN go into 2nd but its hard and when you put it into 2nd you hear and feel a POP. Reverse does not work at all. The lights stay on and u hear a gridning noise but it never goes into gear. The shifter will stay there but basically its like having another Neutral. All the gears that do work, do not shift smoothly and they seem to be more toward the rear of the car and towards the passenger side than normal.

Another problem is that there is a leak somehwere around the differential area. I dont know from where cuz I cant get under the bi***. It seems to be leaking a lot only when I drive the car. If I mash the clutch pedal while the car is off, it wont leak a drop. But as soon as I start driving, theres a nice streak staining the driveway.

I am wondering if welding the broken ear back on will solve these problems or not. I have heard from some people that welding it back on should be fine. Some say that welding it on would make it even stronger than before since a bead is stronger? Others say that I should change the block because it might break again. Im really at wits end on what to do.

I think the problem, if not from the broken ear is probably from the shifter bracket or the linkage. I dont know if the previous owner changed or messed around with them and cant tell if they are of a 90 or 91. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[eclipsh]

First off, weld that ear back on if you have it and give it a try. I'm guesing it is down towards the bottom by the slave cylinder. The tranny opening up is probably most of why you can't shift. You may also want to double check the cable bracket on the trannys. If they look different throw the old bracket on.

If the tranny is moving part of your leak could be coming from the driver's front axle. It wil pour out onto the transfer case and down off it from there making it look like it is coming from the t-case. Otherwise you could just have a leaking t-case. check the fluid levels in both or crawl under the car and start tracing the leak.

Sounds like you found a lemon. Welcome to the club.

 

[lil corb]

I'm scared now because I'm looking to buy a talon with bad tranny ( that's all they say) but with new motor.

we'll see

best of luck to you

 

[eclipsh]

I'm scared now because I'm looking to buy a talon with bad tranny ( that's all they say) but with new motor.

we'll see

best of luck to you

I can't stress this enough: Take it to a mechanic before you buy it! Find out everything that is wrong so you know what you're getting into. You can also tell the owner that you are taking it to a mechanic first so they might as well tell you everything that is wrong with it.

 

[gridlyne]

First off, weld that ear back on if you have it and give it a try. I'm guesing it is down towards the bottom by the slave cylinder. The tranny opening up is probably most of why you can't shift. You may also want to double check the cable bracket on the trannys. If they look different throw the old bracket on.

If the tranny is moving part of your leak could be coming from the driver's front axle. It wil pour out onto the transfer case and down off it from there making it look like it is coming from the t-case. Otherwise you could just have a leaking t-case. check the fluid levels in both or crawl under the car and start tracing the leak.

Sounds like you found a lemon. Welcome to the club.

your absolutely right. The ear that is broken is the one closest to the slave cylinder. i still have the ear and will try to weld it back on.

I tried putting the axel back in but it seems to be rounded off where it meets the tranny. Your right about that as well, That seems to be the source of the leak. the axel bracket seems to have a bolt broken in the hole. That needs to be drilled out. And the Axel replace.

Now as for the cable brackets. i have a bracket from a 90 and a 91 at my disposal. the 91 bracket absolutely did not work at all. the bracket that I am working with right now is a 90 bracket and that too seems to not be perfect. but after a little prying and bending around it got us 1,2,3,4,5 and no revesrse but second you have to pop it in.

When i purchased the car it was a lemon. but I have put in so many new parts that if I get this problem fixed, it will be a great car. the body is in almost excellent condition as well as the interior. Motor is fine too and I have a newly ported 14b ready to drop in it as soon as I can get it running safetly.

Keep the advice coming if you have it.

 

[eclipsh]

I tried putting the axel back in but it seems to be rounded off where it meets the tranny. Your right about that as well, That seems to be the source of the leak. the axel bracket seems to have a bolt broken in the hole. That needs to be drilled out. And the Axel replace.

If the axle is rounded off there is a good chance the splines inside the tranny are toast now too. You will want to look inside it carefully and check that out. You may end up needing a new front dif Good luck on that broken bolt on the axle bracket. Take your time, it'll be a real PITA. If you arent 100% sure you can do it take it to a pro. You'll end up saving yourself money by not destroying the bolt hole/block.

Now as for the cable brackets. i have a bracket from a 90 and a 91 at my disposal. the 91 bracket absolutely did not work at all. the bracket that I am working with right now is a 90 bracket and that too seems to not be perfect. but after a little prying and bending around it got us 1,2,3,4,5 and no revesrse but second you have to pop it in

You'll likely be rebending that bracket once the tranny bolts up solidly. You may want to have an unbent '90 bracket handy. Also ckeck your shifter cables and make sure they are adjusted right inside the car.

When i purchased the car it was a lemon. but I have put in so many new parts that if I get this problem fixed, it will be a great car...

Yeah, that's what I thought about ine too. I'm in for $8k or so now and still trying to get things back up to snuff. GOod luck on yours.

 

[gridlyne]

You'll likely be rebending that bracket once the tranny bolts up solidly. You may want to have an unbent '90 bracket handy. Also ckeck your shifter cables and make sure they are adjusted right inside the car.

Yeah, that's what I thought about ine too. I'm in for $8k or so now and still trying to get things back up to snuff. GOod luck on yours.

How should I adjust the cables inside the car? Would you happen to have a pic of the shifter bracket inside your car? I think that would help me a little in figuring out the correct place ment. Im sure theres probably something small that we looked over and is causing all these problems.

And the good thing about buying a lemon and fixing it up is that once were done, most of the car will be brand new and we'll learn a lot about our cars in the process.

 

[eclipsh]

How should I adjust the cables inside the car?

You won't want to mess with this until after you have repaired the transaxle. Pull off your shifter boot and the console around it. Underneath are the two cables that attatch to the base of the shifter. They both have lock nuts and adjustable bolts that you can thread in & out to align the shifter properly. Try doing it with half turns to start out with. As you'll soon discover, one adjusts front/back the other left/right. Adjust one at a time so you don't get yourself completely mixed up.

And the good thing about buying a lemon and fixing it up is that once were done, most of the car will be brand new and we'll learn a lot about our cars in the process.

Yeah, I keep trying to make myself believe that one too. It definately did help me learn a lot though. I didn't know crap about cars until I bought my TaLemon.

 

[gridlyne]

Okay spoke to another mechanic today and told me that the forks inside the transmission might be bent or stuck? And that might be the cause of the transmission to not go into reverse? Could that be the cause of the reverse problem?

 

[eclipsh]

It is possible. Since your front diff splines are likely toast you'll probably have to open the tranny up anyhow. It'll be easy to check that once it is open. FWIW, I've not heard of shift forks bending, just shattering.