Re: HELP! Clutch Tranny question! (long) (archive)

First off, congratulations on planning such a trip in your 2002. There are lots of guys who won't even think of taking their 2002 on a trip for fear of some mechanical problems, even though they give out advice to others all the time. They're WIMPS! :)

I've done an 8,000 mile trip in a 2002, and the synchros were bad when I started. 50k miles later they're just a little noisier. And the diff that was howling last year is quiet after being driven across the country this year.

Make sure your transmission and differential are full of fresh oil, of course.

Now, some advice. One of my '02s had a clutch that sometimes seemed balky and a trans that was hard to shift. Once I flushed the brakes and clutch hydraulic systems, the clutch problems went away. The brake and clutch fluid are in the same reservoir, and while shops will flush and bleed the brakes, they usually don't bother with flushing the clutch because they're too damn lazy to do a good job.

I helped a friend of mine prep his '91 Porcsche 911 turbo for a driver's school recently.
Despite the car's having been dealer maintained and having lots of big-buck upgrades, the clutch fluid was absolutely black and it took us about an hour to flush out the clutch system until the fluid was clean. The clutch felt much better when he drove it. It probably had never been flushed!

I'd say try getting the clutch/brake fluid flushed and bled first, and see if that makes a difference.

Hope this helps, keep us posted!

vince

Ok guys, I need some advice.

I have a 1976 2002. I love it and am planning on driving it from Buffalo NY to Calgary AB in appx 2 weeks. The car is mechanically in good shape (near as I can tell, hehe) and runs strong, EXCEPT FOR MY CLUTCH/TRANNY.

1)
The car has the typical worn syncros, and is finnicky about going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. I just have to let it slide in. Makes a nice grinding sound if I don't shift properly (rare, hehe). HOWEVER, SOMETIMES, when I step on the clutch, I can hear a WHUNKING sound, like something is getting hung up. IS MY CLUTCH/TRANNY GOING SOUTH???

2)
Also, when I come to a fairly quick stop, the engine dies/stalls. Clutch is in, and downshifting is a pain/difficult with the way the syncros are. What's up with that? Why does the engine stall like that?

Car runs beautifully other than these things (which I know are major, but...) it is freakin me OUT!!!
WOULD YOU MAKE THIS TRIP CROSS COUNTRY?????

I have a fabulous mechanic (he takes forever to fix stuff but he's a real belt and suspenders kind of guy). He spoke to his transmission guy (apparently the best in Buffalo, but does that say a lot?). This guy said he "wouldn't rebuild a 2002, they're garbage". Perfect.

I have no idea as to who to take my car to in the area.

Suggestions, advice are welcome and appreciated.
(This is my first '02, and I'm learning.)
Please help me.

Rebecca

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