Hello everyone.
Just recently my 1989 Pontiac Sunbird with 430,000 km on it with original engine, clutch five-speed, transmission etc. started making noise.
I have baby this car since new and always use in thetic oil in the engine and synchromesh transmission fluid. I have an audio clip but I can upload it here I could take a video and upload it somehow but I thought if anyone knows what's going on that would be of great help. When I push the clutch in the growling sound changes a bit and when the car is just idling there's a growling sound. When I come out of first gear the car jumps and stutters until I can get it into second gear and when I'm driving it's fine.
Any advice would be great I will upload a video to YouTube later and add the link to this thread.
Throwout bearing or bearings or syncros in the trans is my guess.
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Hey Doug I hope you and everyone are well! Thank you for the fast reply. Is that something I could tackle myself or is it just better to take it to a transmission clutch expert?
If it is your throw out bearing, you have to remove the trans to replace it. If you have the tools it isn't too bad of a job. The trans is not very heavy. I think about 78lbs, if I remember correctly. A transmission jack is nice to have, but you can remove/install one without it. The engine will need to be blocked up or make a cradle from 2x4's to hang it from. I can post the pages from the service manual, if you need them.
No idea what a shop might charge to do it. You can probably call around and get a quote, before you decide which option best suits you.
Thanks Butch and Doug for your help!
Might be a bit above my pay grade! I'm going to check around Charlottetown PEI for a couple places.
My biggest concern taking it places is they use low grade replacement parts and I was like to splurge for the best for my baby LOL!
Took me a day and a half to swap my trans ( auto) not a fun job, much easier in a rwd car.
Hopefully its just a clutch job not a trans rebuild. ( or used trans swap !
Good luck Stephan
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Thanks. I'll keep everyone posted but for now I'll just keep it parked and covered. With the pandemic my work has slow down so I can't spend too much money and my wife has a couple Volvos that are needing some attention which are our daily drivers.
Safety to you and your family Stephan....
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Hello everyone! I hope all you guys are staying safe. I finally got out to a transmission fella here on Prince Edward Island Jerry's Transmission seems like a really good guy and told me I just need to order a new clutch kit and he will put it in for me.
He recommended Luke or Exedy clutch kits.
Would anyone else recommend anything better as I do not like to spare expense since he's only going to go in there once to replace it. Where would be the best place to purchase a high-quality clutch kit?
Thanks in advance.
Lux ( what he probally meant ) or Exedy are more on the upper price range for stock clutches Doesnt matter since they only give you a 1 year warranty on any clutch anyways.
They both been in business for a while, so they must be good.
Most higher priced clutches then these are for racing purposes.
We are fine down here Stephan , I heard you guys still have the borders closed, here you have to have to your shots or a negative test to travel, masks are still required here also.
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Great advice Doug! I wonder what the differences from racing clutch is to standard clutches? If the racing ones last longer I would be more off to get one of those. I'll probably end up with one of the standard ones. Yes we still need to wear masks and I'm pretty sure I'll have to wear my long after the pandemics over because I'm so ugly !
!
Oh I forgot what is the best place to purchase from? I bought a lot of stuff from SUMMIT RACING and really like their stuff.
Rockauto lists them or Summit, or Jegs...
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Hi everyone! Sorry it's been quite a while. Finally ordered my new Luk clutch kit from rock auto and I am very excited to announce that the installer did a great job and the car has never shifted so amazing! Here's a picture of the old clutch.
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- IMG_8656.jpeg (1709k)
Toast, but I've seen worse, was it the original GM pressure plate and clutch disc?
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
Good to hear it's replaced and working well.
Hi Doug. Yes it was all the original clutch and pressure plate as I have never changed it since I bought the car in 1989.
Wow, 32 years on the factory clutch! You must baby it, hopefully it will be another 30 + years on the replacement.....!
Stop by the Pontiac forums, people are asking where you got the window sweeps from....
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
It's been some time since I install those window sweeps I will have to do a little digging see if I can find the receipts or something in my email. I do remember I had to do a little custom modification to cut them to fit perfectly. If you want send me the link on this site for the people inquiring about this and I'll try to get information to them.
No need, I just copied your link to the Sunbird Forum. Didnt realize it was 6 years ago....
Doug in P.R.
92 Pontiac Sunbird LE, 2.0, AT, Red / Black with Grey 155K miles. Hurricane Maria Survivor ! ( It takes a licking and keeps on ticking ! ).....in Salinas, Puerto Rico!
OH WOW THAT'S GREAT! THANK YOU DOUG.
