Just bought a cobra... questions

[Orion815]

I just bought a 97 cobra, 120,000 miles. According to the blue book value I got a pretty decent deal (about $1000-2000 below book), but I knew this car had some issues and would be a bit of a project.

It creaks going over bumps and turning the steering wheel. Any suggestions as to the cause of this? I'm assuming steering rack bushings and control arm bushings.

The big issue I'm having, it shifts pretty good with the car off, but with the car running it's notchy into any gear, but especially a pain in second/reverse. Second gear pulls half way and stops then if you wait and pull a little harder will go in. Otherwise, it will grind.

Reverse is similar, but much more difficult to avoid grinding.


I have not changed the fluid yet, but I've been recommended the Pennzoil Synchromesh to help alleviate some of my problem.

Also, I talked to a transmission shop, he recommended a rebuild (but I wasn't sure if he was just trying to sell me on the idea) but he mentioned the price at $1200, much better than my 97 GT was quoted at ($2200+).

Any help on my issues and what else to expect would be greatly appreciated.

Btw, my car has no visible mods, and I'm pretty sure has spent it's life totally stock because it still has the factory plug wires.

 

[Orion815]

I feel like I should also mention this, at low speeds (1 mph to about 5 mph) I can go into first gear fine, except the car wants to lunge forward. I have not noticed this with the car completely stopped. Is my clutch not releasing all the way?

 

[jeremy canter]

sounds like its a combo of the clutch not completely releasing ( could be broken pressure plate springs) and the trans has had the crap beat out of it , check the peddle and the cable someone might have put a adjustable cable or firewall adjuster in the car . with 120,000 it might be time for a clutch upgrade anyway > as for the rebuild you can put any 99-to early 01 mustang GT trans in your 96-98 cobra there the same trans , but watch what you buy after mid year 01 the trans changes to the tr3650 . all 96 -98 gt trans are the same to except for the speedo gear , and you will have to remove the tail cover of the trans to change it with your cobra speedo gear > easyest way to tell if the t-45 is the one you need is to look on the hole where the speed sensor go's > your speed gear is red in color. I the trans your looking at is a diffrent color than it will not run the speedo in your car, hope this helps .

 

[98redcobra]

Did you resolve the issue regarding the creaks when going over bumps and when turning the steering wheel? If so what was the issue and what did you do to fix it?