2002 Saturn SL2 Hard to shift manual xmission

HAMSTERBEAR

MEMBER
2002 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
154,000 MILES

Clutch was replaced about a year and a half ago, and lately it has been very hard to put into gear, almost like grinding, and it had gotten worse to the point where if you stop you cannot get it into gear. Seems to work with engine off and clutch in, but once you get going it jams up.

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all thank u for ur donation. If it's hard to shift into every gear then u have a problem with ur clutch or clutch hydralics if u have trouble only getting it into certain gears then u have a problem with the transmission. When u press the clutch pedal
in is the pedal hard going all the way down or does it go freely a little ways untill the pedal gets hard?Let me know.

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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 11:11 PM

HAMSTERBEAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I initially thought the shifter itself was bad, or the cables, as we had a clutch done recently. The clutch was done at the Saturn dealer in Pleasanton, and shortly after a clip fell off and wouldn't shift, now it's hard to get in any gear while running or in traffic. Shifts fine with engine off. I changed out the stick shift unit-no help. Will check slave cylinder next.
I suspect the dealer had morons working there, but now it is no longer a Saturn Dealer. We spent $2500 changind the cradle out after my wife hit a curb and bent it, then later they told us it was bent again, and funny there was no record in the computer that it had ever been done before. I thought they ripped us off.
Thanks

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Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 AT 1:01 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Sounds like u have alot of doubts of what was really replaced I dont blame u there. Let me know what u come up with on the clutch master/slave it might just be that lets hope.

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Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 AT 1:11 PM

HAMSTERBEAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Changed out the slave and master clutch cyls, they are sold as one unit ready to install with fluid already bled.
This had to come from Saturn dealer, and the part was just under $200, and anothe $200 labor. The guy said it was a bitch to change. Unfortunately, the xmission will not shift still, the mechanic suggests that something is bad with the clutch disc, and probably not the xmission itself. Really unfortunate that the Saturn dealer is closed so we have no warranty recourse.
Prognosis? Buy Honda or Toyota from now on.
Do I want to pop another $500 or so to re-do the clutch? Wife says junk car.

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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 AT 7:48 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

I hate to tell you this but the clutch master/slave assembly isn't a dealer item only I found a wagner one for 74 plus shipping online.I found it on www. Rockautoparts. Com next time you need a part give them a try for price's. For the whole assembly to be replaced it should have been only like 1.4hrs times shop rate what ever it was where you went. There not hard to replace there pretty easy. Sorry to hear about your problems with saturn's I have owned saturn's for years and really like owning them. My whole family has saturn's and they really enjoy them too. As far as if I think you should spend another 500 to fix it that's up to you if you think it's worth it.I guess it depends on if the car need's any other repairs be side's the clutch. Let me know if you have anymore question's.