this was actually about a month ago, but ive become more curious now. i was draining the fluid and a small spring came out of the hole, along with a ball, like from a bearing. obviously a bearing in there is just completely destroyed, but what is the spring from? or are there lots of springs in there? my shifter has become very "loose" since i drained the fluid. like it wiggles a lot more now than before. the car shifts fine and everything and thats why i just havent cared really, but still curious about the little spring. im assuming this thing should explode any day now, . (knock on wood)

 

You drained the fluid from the wrong bolt.

You removed a bolt that holds a detent ball and spring, which is what helps keep the shifter in gear.

 

Yup .... and if I were you, I'd be figuring out which bolt / spring / detent ball you removed and get it fixed. You will find your car popping out of gear before too long and if your fluid is low, you'll burn up the bearings first, then the shafts / gear sets will become over heated and fragile. Not good mate.

Why were you messing with it in the first place? If you wanted to do a fluid change, you should have done some research prior. Lots of info on the trans in my write up (check sig).

 

But for future reference...the drain plug isn't plastic, either.

 

i was doing an engine swap. didnt find the need to research draining the fluids. i had done it multiple times before. just not from that bolt, lol. oh wells, i guess it all makes sense now. thanks guys. the tranny has a bad input shaft bearing, so im not really too concerned just yet about it. maybe this will be my motivation for a vlsd tranny.

 

So did you just pick a random bolt on the trans to remove and see if fluid would come out?

 

no need to interrogate me, i know i fuked up. i can man up to that.

 

Was a serious question. I just don't understand the thought process that goes on, there.

 

well, in a nutshell, the engine needs to be swapped for the 3rd time in week cuz it jumps timing. im pissed and trying to move somewhat quickly (remember ive got the process down from the first couple times this particular week), so im moving through all of my steps. when it comes to draining fluid, i just jacked up the driver side a tad bit and say i cant use the plastic sensor so i look for the next bolt, preferrably one of the lowest, and voila. horrible decision, it will prove costly eventually, but i can live with that.

 

^LOL^ Crap happens especially when you're in a rush.

 

tell me about it! crap does happen. during this whole process, i managed to chip a tooth on the timing ring and now have a code. and my inspection is way past due and i have a january 1st deadline to get it inspected. i cant pass inspection with the cel on. i cant get my tags renewed unless i pass inspection. so i HAVE to drop the tranny again here pretty soon.

which reminds me, pmohr, I may be inquiring about that 5mt timing ring u have soon. i dont feel comfortable drilling out one from an auto, i mite end up with a wobbly timing ring if that happens.

 

I could have it in the mail today...

Yea, unless you get it perfectly drilled out, it'll be off center and you'll probably lose the CKPS reading at one specific spot every revolution...not good.

As much as I call people idiots, I'm an idiot too. **** happens. For example, pulling the trans off of a parts car for mine, I was getting pissed off at it and just yanked the neutral/reverse position sensor out to drain it quickly, broke it all to bits. So

I know how idiots do things, generally first hand

 

So what did you learn from this?

Quit rushing crap! Take the time to put it together (or drain the fluid) right the first time! Completely preventable accidents just means more problems and wasted time down the road.

Now go yourself for rushing. Something I've had to do to myself a couple times before I started relaxing and doing things right.

 

Yea ... I busted my R / N switch all to sheet too doing my trans (the first time. lol). Sucks! I know how it goes mate. Sorry you are having so many probs. I wish you all the luck! If I were close, I'd come lend a hand - but I'm not ... sorry for that.

And yes, the plastic 'thingamubabber' (lol) is not a drain plug! That sits on the other side next to the shift selector rod.

 

Now, I have a question. Say he drove around town a little before he found out what he had done, assuming he blew a bearing knowing it was going to go any minute. Now he knows it is one of his outer (farthest from the clutch) detent *****. Is it as big of a problem that you all state it is? Because there are two at the other end of the rod depending on which rod he pulled it off of. Don't get me wrong, I would be getting it back in there ASAP and definately wouldnt do any huge amount of driving on it, but as he describes, wouldnt the damage, if any be minimal since there are others to help keep the rod in place?

I don't mean to hiijack a thread, but putting a different view on the issue maybe.

NM91

 

Oh really? Well I have a Quaife transmission now so quit starting $hit with me I didn't sleep with your sister!!!! oh wait wrong thread...
But to answer your question^^
Maybe if he kept his hand on the shifter to hold that gear in place so that the shifter forks wouldn't slide into and out of gears unpredictably.

 

Oh yea happy new years everyone, I'm at a kick-*** party right now...

 

Each detente ball does one job and there is no redundancy. That explains the loose shifter feel.

It's entirely possible that no damage was done. You just have to put it back in and see.

Dave