91 Manual Fix or Part out?

[k1smith]

To start off I'm glad I found this forum, I've been reading on here all morning. I'm at a loss here. My poor explorer has been sitting for 3 months, it's time to make a decision.

It's a 1991 two door, manual 4x4 215,000 miles

When we bought it it was a little hard to get into 3rd and reverse. It now does not go into any gears or move at all. After having it towed home it went into reverse for 3 feet, makes horrible grinding sound when you let clutch out in any gear. Transmission shop here wanted $1200.

Long story short we pulled the transmission our self, it has small metal shavings but nothing major looking. Fluid does not smell burnt at all, clutches look fine. Does appear that the main bearing has worn a small area on the housing.

The explorer is in good shape, motor does have a tick when cold and 4x4 not working at the moment. I'm just afraid to buy a transmission not being sure if that is even the problem. I don't want to spend twice what it's worth to fix it but I do like it.

Thanks for all advice.

 

[k1smith]

Just realized this should probably be in the transmission forum? maybe

 

[Tony H]

Small filings are not unusual in a manual.

Are you sure it wasn't something as simple as the Slave cylinder not disengaging the Clutch enough? any leaking by the Bellhousing? Is the reservoir for the Clutch full or empty?

 

[k1smith]

There was no leaking by the bell housing, the reservoir for the clutch was 1/4 full. My head is spinning with all the possible what if's. Thanks for the help.

 

[Roadrunner777]

I think the clutch and associated parts are all going to need to be replaced, owing to the loud grinding sound, and that is probably a good part of the $1,200. I would almost just rebuild the transmission as a matter of it already being out. So, 1,200, to me, is in the ballpark. I think if you go this far, you should have the 4x4 fixed too.

Will it be worth it when it is done? I can see the bill coming out to $1,500 - $2,000, maybe more. If you immediately sold it, you may or may not get that much for it. Is it a vehicle you would definitely use? If so, then fix it. If it is just a matter of fixing it to sell, I don't think I'd put the money into it, I'd probably send it to the old Explorer's home.

 

[Tony H]

1/4 full. sounds like it had to be leaking. Did the pedal feel normal? With that many miles, the Clutch might be shot.. Before making a desicion, SEARCH more on 'Front Hubs' 'Transfer Case Shifter'

You might find that you can fix your 4WD for cheap. Then you might justify a $200 clutch.

Hard shifting to 3rd is one thing but was the trani Whining while driving? If not, I don't think I'd rebuild it. I'd put in a new Clutch Kit ( pressure plate throw out bearing pilot bearing, and see how it goes from there.

 

[k1smith]

It was making a noise which I thought was the throw out bearing going out once the clutch was pressed in it stopped. I do not believe the transmission it's self was whining. Petal felt fine. Here's my blond chick question could the throw out bearing have caused all this trouble? This is the first manual I've ever worked on.

Yeah I have been reading on 4x4 I don't think that will be much trouble.

 

[Tony H]

It was making a noise which I thought was the throw out bearing going out once the clutch was pressed in it stopped. I do not believe the transmission it's self was whining. Petal felt fine. Here's my blond chick question could the throw out bearing have caused all this trouble? This is the first manual I've ever worked on.

Yeah I have been reading on 4x4 I don't think that will be much trouble.

Yes a Throw out bearing will absolutely whine until you push the pedal in.
It MIGHT be the whole problem, with 200K miles you should change the clutch while the trani is down. Make sure you get the cheapy Clutch Line up tool in the box with the clutch. If you want to drop down the Pressure Plate to eyeball the wear on this clutch, see if a local service station has the Line up tool they can lend you or but one.. Like $6
It sounds like you didn't get enough 'push' on the fork to disengage the Clutch. so whether it was a leaky Slave that didn't give you the 'throw ' you needed or a collapsing throw out bearing that prevented a full Throw is the question.

 

[k1smith]

I'm starting to have hope, talking with you doesn't make this sound near as bad as I was thinking. I'm now leaning toward buying a clutch kit and a slave cylinder putting them in crossing my fingers. The tranny could use a rebuild but with what the explorer is worth and cost I'm not seeing it being a good idea. If a few hundred bucks gets a few more miles outta it I'd be happy.

 

[Tony H]

Losing the fluid bothers me. It has to be going somewhere. Either at the Master on the Firewall or out the Slave. Neither one seemed wet with fluid???? The slave is one of those internal types. Cheap, mostly plastic, I hate them. That wasn't all wet with fluid?
Too late now but I wonder if you pumped the clutch a few times, would it shift better?
Good luck with your decision.

 

[69Explorer69]

like everyone else says i would stick a clutch and slave and drive it till it blows..SOunds like its doing the same thing my neon did before the clutch went up on the high way.Got a new clutch for her and she still runs good to this day if i hadn't went hill hoping with it..lol

If you ever get rid of it or wanna sell it send me a pm i will buy it from you..Your not that far from were i live...

 

[ayyno]

I'm also nearby and would be willing to buy it off you...of course if things don't work out/explorer69 doesn't want it since i'm also fairly close by.

 

[k1smith]

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted I'm not gonna start chopping her to pieces anytime soon. She's in really good shape actually better than my 2004 jeep lol I bought her from a school teacher who I think took her to the dealership for every little thing you could imagine. It maybe be a few weeks before I get to fixing but I'll let everyone know the outcome.

 

[94Sport5Sp]

Hi:

Just for added info.

Bleeding the clutch can be a pain. Do a search on here for several writeups on procedures to bleed the clutch. Could save you a ton of agony.

If you can do the work then the x is worth saving.
PaMnd