Whats wrong with my Tremec?

cobra11182 · Apr 4, 2004

i have a 3550 tremec, with about 20,000 miles on it, and I am getting a very strange problem, and cannot figure out where to start looking. When I am driving the car, it shifts real smooth, everything runs great, no grinding at all, etc. Then, when I come to a stop, like in a parking lot or something, it wont go into any gears at all from neutral. I have to really push to get it in, but there is no grinding or anything. When it finally goes in, it runs fine. It is hard to get into every gear too.

I checked the fluid level, its ok, and its the right fluid, and I replaced the clutch cable thinking it may be stretched, and adjusted it just right. Also, the clutch is a nice centerforce, with only about 10k on it.

Any ideas would hepl me a lot, I have never heard of this happening before, and cant find any posts like it. Thanks

PURESTREET5006 · Apr 4, 2004

What type of shifter are you using? Maybe you need to readjust your stops.

cobra11182 · Apr 4, 2004

I have the pro 5.0, but I dont see how the stops could stop me from going in gear only at a stop. Seems to me they just prevent exxcess travel after you are already in the gear. (it shifts fine when driving). Any other ideas?

Ranchero5.0 · Apr 4, 2004

Double check you clutch cable. Centerforces like a lot of travel to fully release the clutch. You can also put the rear on jackstands and do it. If the clutch isn't fully releasing the tires will jump when it goes in gear and start turning pretty good. Tap the brake and see if the engine lugs down a little. Most likely it's you cable not being adjusted enough. Had to make one tight to get it to work on a customers car with the stock quadrant. Didn't like it, figure the throwout bearing was going to wear out pretty quick.

Jamie

cobra11182 · Apr 5, 2004

if this was the case, wouldnt I have trouble shifting when its moving as well? I am not going to be around the car until thursday, but I will give it a try. Is there anything in a 5 speed that could go wrong and cause this to happen? I cant think of anything. Thanks again

EMW150 · Apr 6, 2004

I'd say it wants less freeplay. Tighten the cable up a bit. Like Jamie said, they like alot of travel. You'd see a problem at a stop more than if moving. When moving, gears mesh easier.

cobra11182 · Apr 6, 2004

I have the cable adjusted as tight as possible, any more would begin to engage the clutch, as I have zero toeplay right now. Do you think I should tighten it more? Is it possible that the problem is in the tranny and not the clutch? I cant imagine something in the tranny that would make it difficult to go into all gears, and only at a stop. Any ideas? clutch, tranny? etc

jrichker · Apr 6, 2004

Cable operated clutches are not supposed the have any slack in the cable. The tension is what keeps the cable square on the quadrant and from jumping off. The throwout bearing is designed to take the constant preload of the cable.

You should have 1"-1.5" movement in the pedal before the clutch starts to disenagage. That will make sure that when you press the pedal to the floor, the clutch is completely disengaged.

stangbear427 · Apr 6, 2004

Clutch. Centerforce has a thin disc, and a thin pressure plate to work with it, just like the King Cobra. When the disc starts to get a little thin or the pressure plate gets a little tired, this is exactly what happens. You're lucky you got 10,000 out of it- I got less out of mine, and way less out of my King Cobra. This is exactly why I hate both of them.

speed1972 · Apr 6, 2004

I had a king cobra in mine before and I had the exact same problem. I replaced the clutch and all my problems went away. Another theory, did you put the alignment dowels in the flywheel? That could cause the pressure plate to not line up right and cause similar problems.....

Larry

cobra11182 · Apr 7, 2004

Thanks for all the help guys. I am suprised that I can only get 10,000 miles out of the dual friction, considering as much as I paid for it. So could I get a temporary fix if I tightened the cable a little more? (there already is no slack in it). I just finished a big job building this car, and dont want to drop the tranny again for a bit. Also, are you all sure there is no way the problem is in the tremec? Thanks again

85_SS_302_Coupe · Apr 7, 2004

I dont think this has anything to do with your trany. Sounds like either the clutch is about to go or you're not getting a good enough engagement somewhere between the pedel and the other end of the cable. Do you have a new cable in? Stock quadrant or aftermarket?

cobra11182 · Apr 7, 2004

I just replaced the cable, and I have a steeda aluminum quadrant, so I cant imagine how the clutch could not be engaging all the way. Plus, if it was the clutch, wouldnt I notice some slipping or have problems shifting while driving? When I am moving, the tranny shifts great.

jrichker · Apr 7, 2004

Tighten the cable - cable operated clutches must have NO slack in the cable. I've experienced the same problem, and ajusting the cable up tight was the fix. See my sig for details.

cobra11182 · Apr 8, 2004

I hear ya man, but again, there is no slack in the line, its nearly engaging the clutch a good ways, which leads me to gbelieve there is a problem with the clutch, but there is no slipping at all. The clutch grabs just like the first day I put it in. And the clutch lifts about 3 inches off the floor before it engages. I dont know what else to do

stangbear427 · Apr 8, 2004

It still grabs like new because it's a Centerforce Dual Friction. You have ten thousand miles on, it's almost done. It is just as likely that it's the pressure plate as the disc itself. The thin diaphram design is great for quick shifting, but not so hot for longevity. DF's are a sticky clutch- you may not feel it slipping until the day it grenades. When I took my DF out, (the peices ) were like a few sheets of paper and it had been grabbing fine and didn't seem to be slipping; it just ground through the gears if I didn't shift slow and double clutch it, because it wasn't releasing enough anymore. That's just the nature of the beast. Take it out now, or wait till you see the mess it makes of your flywheel...

speed1972 · Apr 8, 2004

has anyone else had similar issues with the king cobra as far as longevity?

stangbear427 · Apr 8, 2004

oops. supposed to be an edit. sorry. I suck.

Kid wita 5oh · Apr 8, 2004

i had the EXACT same problem with my center force/ tremec combo(with about 15,000 miles on both) and what it was, was a worn disc and a broken retainer on the clutch fork(ya know the little springy fingers that hold it on the pivot) i replace it with a new fork and a spec clutch and i have NO problems what so ever

jrichker · Apr 8, 2004

KIng Cobra, FMS cable & quadrant kit and a Tremec 3550 - 70,000+ miles and only some minor adjustment to the clutch cable. No complaints, it just works good!

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