I'm 1200 miles from home living in a hotel right now. Was on my way to the store this morning and I took it out of gear. When to put it back in, and it wouldn't go in. Fortunately, I was still moving, so I coasted off into a parking lot. Once I shut the engine off, it went right into gear. It moves freely through them all. As soon as I start the engine, it won't shift. It is not my clutch. I can start the engine with it in gear and the clutch in, and it won't creep at all (was sitting on level ground when I tried). At least this means I can get it places if I slip the clutch a lot. Took the inspection cover off, and all looks well in there. It hasn't been acting strange. It shifted just fine right up until this. No strange noises either until now. Now there is a slight squeeking sound if I try to force it into gear with our without the clutch pushed in. Since I've never let a mechanic touch my baby before, and I have to now, what possible things should I be looking for to make sure they are honest? I'm thinking maybe I killed my pilot bearing? Second, while its apart, I'm going to have them replace the clutch and slave cylinder since its got 160K on it and as far as I know, the previous owners never did that. Recommendations on what clutch to get? Its been towing some lately. I don't know if that makes a difference. Anything else I should have them do at this mileage? Thanks

 

At 160k i would think the clutch is about done, maybe try bleeding it first, and also for about $15 you can get a shifter repair kit from rock auto to replace your shifter bushings and pins, i just did my wifes 94 that she picked up has 130k i had never done it before took me 30 mins and 10 of that was getting one of the pins out.

 

We'll see. Dropped it off last night, and it started shifting better than it ever has, so its an intermittent problem apparently. I hate those, but that seems to be its track record. They're supposed to call this morning after test driving it. I might just go ahead and see how much a clutch will be since I don't know if its ever been replaced.

 

dpeterson3 , if ya do need a clutch get the whole thing, master, slave cyl etc. Dont ask how I know. Autozone has life time parts and they stand behind them about a little less than $300 for everything. Local guy charged me $250 to R&R but then I had him do some other things, so ran a little more. Might have them check rear main while trans is out. I replaced the flywheel this time and it did make a great improvement vs having it resurfaced (again). It was only about $50 at AZ.

 

I figure if it has to get replaced, I'm going to have them do the clutch, slave, pilot bearing, input shaft bearings, and flywheel if it needs it. Probably going to be more than my college student budget wants me to spend, but I would rather have everything new and not have to worry about it for another 100K miles. Still no word. They didn't have time to look at it today. Usually I do get Autozone parts since they are close to home. I don't know if this place will let me get parts or if they will insist on ordering them.

 

If they will not let you use your parts they are most likely going to rip ya on charges. Tell them you will provide the parts they will need to provide a fixed price for the job. If they wont find another shop.

 

I had a very similar problem with my 98 last year (245,000 on the original clutch at the time) with the exception of creeping. My truck acted like the clutch was engaged all of the time but when I looked inside through the inspection hole, I could see the clutch moving when an assistant pressed and release the peddle. It would lurch ahead on the starter and I ended up getting it home by shifting it without the use of the clutch. When all was said and done, it ended up being a piled up pilot bearing. The bearing literally disintegrated in there and had jammed the transmission input shaft so that it was turning all of the time. Although it was worn, the clutch disk still had some life left in it and I only had to shave .003 off the flywheel. I replaced all components except the master cylinder. (I figured that could be replaced anytime without removing the transmission again) It is shifting very good to this day (259,000 miles)