1994 Ford Ranger Clutch or Tranny?

CAROL333

MEMBER
1994 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
156,000 MILES

My 94 Ranger XLT clutch locked up and the mechanic said that the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and another part needed replaced, so I did. The day I picked it up, first gear was still grinding, the mechanic said it would work it self out, probably air in the line or things needed to get well greased.
About two weeks later while driving 30 mph on a city road, I heard a loud crash pop bang, I thought the transmission had hit the pavement! A puff of smoke came out from under the truck and an awful burnt smell. I kept the clutch in, due to the fact that last time my truck froze up if I had kept the clutch in we could have rolled it to the side of the road. Well, now the truck has no neutral, it drives while in neutral, but wont go into any actual gears including reverse. When I drive it in the neutral posiition it acts like first gear, and there is an occassional thump as if something is being spun around inside the tranny. Did my mechanic screw up installing the new clutch or has the transmission died? I need some advice thanks

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,640 POSTS

That is a tough call from here. Honestly, if you smelled something burning, I would say it is clutch related. Nothing in the trans would make a burning smell. At least nothing that I can think of. The first problem was the grinding into first. That tells me either he didn't properly bleed the hydraulic system. If there was still air in the system, it wouldn't work itself out. It is a sealed unit. Or he didn't replace the pressure plate correctly (which is hard to do.) The strange thing is that the the only gear you have is in neutral. That could indicate a trans problem or the linkage is loose or not put together properly. I would take it back and have him recheck his work. Honestly, unless you have been really rough on the transmission, it should outlast the truck. You may want to make sure it has oil in it before returning it.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 10:45 PM

CAROL333

MEMBER
1 POST

I had the transmission estimated by a 28 year old Transmission company. Here are the results:

He said the cross member, the transmission rests on it was rotted in half, the previous mechanic never took my transmission out to replace the clutch parts. The previous mechanic did not replace or put in a new fly wheel as he had charged me over $300 for, the reputable transmission company said the previous mechanic had one side resurfaced (approx $55) and it was not that good of a job, (3 teeth are also missing).

They said he slid the transmission back and then put it back and broke the cross member, the fill plug had never been touched, there was no transmission oil in the tranny, The nylon scoop had no oil in it which caused the bearings to get hot, fail and strip teeth.

If oil had been in the transmission this might have been avoided.

So now that I have paid $625 and still owe the first mechanic $275 for repairs that he didnt do, the transmission needs rebuilt and cross member replaced at a cost of $890 plus $610 parts and labor.

Should I contact the first mechanic and tell him what the reputable transmission repair shop told me about his shabby work? I still owe him $275. Should I pay it?

Thanks for your advice,
Carol

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Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 AT 1:45 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,640 POSTS

Carol:
I would ask for the money back that you already paid them. If this new trans shop is willing to put in writing what they told you, the other place owes you everything back. Tell them you'll take them to small claims court. That is what I would do in this situation.

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Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 AT 11:22 PM