Expert: autohelp - 4/20/2005

Question
I have a 1993 eagle talon 2.0 with a manual transmission that my son drives. (18 yr old). on his way to school yesterday the front wheels locked up a the car would not budge. When I went to pick it up with my trailer. the clutch seamed to be working properly and I could put it in gear let the clutch out and acted like it wanted to go. but it still would not move. Iloaded it on the trailer with a wench. took it home , jacked it up and placed on jack stands. Now this is where I am , I can start the car, the clutch does not seam to ingage,then I try to place it in any gear you can hear the gears grind. when I turn the front wheels by hand one will turn the oposite direction, thats wierd to me. oh and the clutch fluid holder is full.and all looks normal ie: cables and stuff like that. Please help  

Answer
Most likely the trans will have to come out as what has most likely failed is:

1. The pressure plate has come apart.

2. The clutch disc is damaged.

3. The throwout bearing (release bearing) has failed.

You stated: when I turn the front wheels by hand one will turn the oposite direction, thats wierd to me ?.

This is NORMAL due to the way the differential (final drive components) within the transaxle are set up. Do NOT be a bit concerned as again this is perfectly normal.

18 year olds I know all about, I had one who is now 24. If I had to wager I would in all the transmissions that I have worked on for many many years is that JUNIOR was most likely trying to smoke the rear tires to impress the girls/guys and blew the clutch apart. Will he admit it ?. Not likely.

When the trans is taken out ask the technician what most likely happened as it occured when JUNIOR was driving it.

I am NOT saying that I am 100% correct, But my bet is on JUNIOR.


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