915 tranny, 1-2 shift then BAM!

[83SC in PA]

After a beautiful drive to Watkins Glen Friday afternoon I decided to tour the town after checking in to the motel. Started up the hill to the track from Montour Falls and when I shifted to second, BAM! After that nothing, no gear, slight clutch smell and I rolled backwards to a safe place. It can be pushed forward in any gear position as if it's in neutral. I had it flatbedded home 200 miles and enjoyed the rest of the weekend at the vintage races. I did a search and read about the 'dongle' issue, and the shop hasn't removed the plate yet but I was wondering if anyone else has been through this. Before this happened I had no trouble shifting and only a few drops of fluid leaks and I believe this trans has never been rebuilit. 121k miles.

Thanks,
Ed

[the]

sounds like your second gear blew up.

drain the oil, remove the inspection plate, and see what comes out.

[83SC in PA]

Thanks The. If that's the case would I not be able to select other gears? I can put the shift lever in any gear and it's the same as neutral. I'll report back once the gearbox is drained and an inspection is done.

Thanks,
Ed

P.S. The 1-2 shift was about 5500RPM.

[john walker's workshop]

if it rolls in any gear, you probably broke a CV joint or the axle came loose. you probably would have noticed an axle hanging down, so i'd go with the CV joint.

[83SC in PA]

Thanks John, much appreciated. The car isn't nearby, it's at the shop so I'll have them check out the CV and I'll report back.

Ed

[dogslovetrucks]

+1 for CV- cheap (by comparison) repair.

[VFR750]

It may be the exploding clutch

The clutch was centered by a rubber ring. When that fails (and it does) the cluth is no longer connected to anything.

Typical SC upgrade is to replace the clutch with a spring centered clutch.

[dtw]

Had the exact same issue/circumstances; it was an axle that came unbolted from the diff flange. Cost me a Euro trans cooler.

Less savory option is a blown input shaft, but that doesn't sound likely.

[rcecale]

I didn't have the "BAM!" when my axle came loose, but the rest of the symptoms were the same. Could shift into all gears with no problems, just couldn't go anywhere.

Upon suggestions from others on this board, I took a look underneath, and sure enough, all the bolts had back out and the axle had fell. Fortunately, it must have happened as I was rolling up to the red light.

Besides, JW has that uncanny way of knowing what he's talking about!

Randy

[83SC in PA]

Originally posted by VFR750
Typical SC upgrade is to replace the clutch with a spring centered clutch.

Top end job in '01 included new spring centered clutch and all CV joints(lots of other stuff too). That doesn't mean either of those parts didn't fail. I drive the car pretty hard.

[barney911rs]

Last year at the track I had a similar situation. A loud bang and then I had no drive. Luckily I was able to coast into pit lane. In my case it was the pressure plate that gave out. Two of the spring fingers snapped.

Could be any number of things. Best of luck to you. More then likely they will have to start pulling things apart until they find the trouble.

[83SC in PA]

John Walker is right once again! According to the repair shop, I destroyed one of the CV joints on the 1-2 shift. Should be back on the road by the end of the week!

Thanks,
Ed

[barney911rs]

Considering how bad it could have been, that is great news.

[favrok01]

Wow is the screw backing out on the CV that common????
it just happened to me ripped the boot to snot.
just ordered 2 and longer screws to thread lock good as $hit.
i thought it was my fault because i didn't tighten them enough.

[ToddM]

I had it happen to me by a reputable porsche specialist shop after an LSD install.

Torque the hell out of them and locktite.

[Jack Olsen]

It's actually a pretty good place to put the weak link.

[wolf]

I never shift 1 ->2 over 4500 rounds.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by favrok01
Wow is the screw backing out on the CV that common????

It really is a fairly common occurrance, especially following work involving the removal of the axles/CV Joints.

There is a lot of technical discussion by many of the Pelican Experts on this subject in this thread. These guys really know their stuff!

Longer bolts may have helped in your particular situation, but installing schnorr washers, moon plates and applying the proper torque are probably more important. Also, about 100 miles or so after torquing the CV bolts, it's a good idea to climb underneath and check ALL the bolts again, for proper torque.

Randy

[favrok01]

Holy overload of info rcecale!!! wouldnt you know i have my order on the way already and i should put those washer things on. GO*&^ DA^%**& FU&^(*& SON%**&^ OF A BI$^**&.........ITS ALWAYS SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[83SC in PA]

My wrench said the CV joint itself looks OK, but six bolts were snapped. I guess I'll shift 1-2 a little sooner from now on...