Re: drivetrain woes

Posted by DJ.Voyce on November 23, 1997 at 14:22:45

In Reply to: drivetrain woes
posted by Keith on November 22, 1997 at 20:09:55

: I recently took ownership of our family's Model A. It's an 1930 Standard Coupe, with a rumble seat. She's been ours since 1968, and has been restored twice. I was recently putting around town (on my way to the auto parts store, oddly enough) when an audible "clunk" resounded from the undercarraige. As I entered my right turn, the auto slowed and came to a halt. I had to depress the clutch, in order to prevent the engine from stalling. As I tried to move the vehicle out from the middle of the lane, I could feel resistance in both, first and reverse gears, but the car would not move. After having the auto towed home and putting her on jack stands, I discovered that the rear wheels turn freely — eliminating the likelihood that the differential took a poop. My guess now, since I can get her in and out of any gear, while the engine is running, is that the universal joint disintigrated. Any ideas or suggestions on service would be greatly appreciated. I miss driving her.
G'Day Keith,
Not knowing if your car slowed down due to lack of drive, I suggest that before you start dissecting the love of your life, remove the clutch bell housing cover & check for any strange spares floating around in there as the clutch may have handed in its lunch box or the pilot bearing has collapsed. If you can push the car in neutral but you can't engage gears there may be something or some part of the clutch which has become jammed behind the pressure plate. To double check this, lift the top off the gearbox & the gears should stop throwing oil at you when the clutch is depressed with the engine running. When the car is pushed, the main shaft must turn & this would indicate all is OK further back.
Regardz
DJ.
OutOfAfrica A's

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