Hey guys... my 84Z with a T5 will not go into gear with the engine running. It happened right after I installed some new end links on the rear sway bar. One of the end links was broken, and what I'm wondering is if putting on the new links could change the drivetrain angle enough to make the input shaft bind on the bushing? I spent 2 or 3 hours bleeding the slave cylinder and I'm pretty sure there's no air in the hydraulics (good pedal feel).

Is there anyway to test whether the shaft and bushing are binding? Any insight would be appreciated!

 

Teddy...It's probably your muffler bearing that needs tightening. All kidding aside, theres no way that replacing your swaybar links had any effect on your input shaft and pilot bushing. The transmission is affixed to yourbellhousing which is affixed to your block right? So theres that end of it. The driveline angle naturally compensates for suspension travel through your u-joints. Long story short you may have just had some bad timing when this problem popped up.
As far as troubleshooting, how many miles your car? Is it time to replace tranny fluid and install a new pilot bushing? Do you have a pilot bearing or bushing?

 

Ya I didn't think that installing end links should change anything but it only started immediately after they were installed so I thought that might be a factor. It drove normal the day before with no clutch issues at all - I think that if hydraulics were an issue it would start minor and get progressively worse.

My engine has a brass pilot bushing in it which was installed 3 years ago when I dropped in a 350 in place of the 305. I wanted to get the bearing but the parts guy argued there was no such part for my car... later I found out about ordering one for a diesel.

So, does it seem logical that the bushing is the problem? Can I test it somehow or am I looking at some disassembly?

Thanks

 

Teddy, sorry for the late reply, I've been traveling and busy. Yes, now your problem makes a bit more sense. Don't use solid bushings for your pilot. Use a roller bearing (go to Jegs or Summit) and spend the cash to get one. Your tranny input shaft will thank you for it. The other reason you may now be having troubles getting into gear with the car running is syncros in the tranny ( I think....tranny gurus speak up!). Good luck troubleshooting.

 

Hey AC... thanks for going the extra mile but I have it figured out. It was the muffler bearing! LOL J/k I pulled the engine & trans for a looky and it was actually the clutch plate itself. One of the springs on the plate wore through the metal tabs that hold them in and it got jammed sideways in between the flywheel and the pressure plate. That explains everything! I'd post you a pic but that feature doesn't seem to be working.

I actually got a roller bearing yesterday when I picked up a new clutch kit... so today's project is to install those puppies and hopefully wrestle it back in!

 

We did my clutch last night and one of the tabs next the spring was broke off.
My car was still driveable but was hard to shift.
Put in a new Hays clutch kit and roller pilot bearing and the car is fun to drive again. no more double clutching for me.

 

hey i have the same problem with the clutch not disengaging, i pulled the tranny last weekend to see if the pilot bearing was shot yes it is a bearing. and everything looked fine. i didnt take the bell housing off, and while looking through i couldnt see any thing wrong with the clutch. could you email me a pic of what was broken on yours.
Glad to hear your on the road again!!!

 

OK... here's the pic. I don't know how well you'll be able to see into the bellhousing and through the pressure plate fingers, but all the springs should be in their slot and parallel with the clutch plate. If you can find a small mirror and flashlight that might help you see in. One of my mechanic friends told me this was a common problem with clutches... obviously Zepher and I can testify to it!

I hope you get it figured out!

 

ouch teddy! glad you got that fixed.. when i had disengagement problems with my centerforce DF, the centrifigual weights were the blame.. they were shifted to one side and if my theory is correct, they were bending the fingers on the pressure plate from all the centrifigual force.. once i took them off, i could powershift once again..