gear change slack and Clackin' ?

[Golden944]

Hi All,

I have now become fully infected with the 944 parasitic brain virus which disables all parts of the cerebral cortex which would otherwise stop a sane man from buying another 944... so now I have two... Adult Scalextrics!!!

but... the new one has a 'clacking' sound on changing gear and there seems to be slack in the drive train on up and down shifting or deceleration just by taking your foot of the pedal...as if when you change gear the engine to connection gearbox (drive chain, what-have-you) is loose... I'm sure 944's have a direct connection so not a drive-shaft coupling problem but there is obviously some slack somewhere.... I'm also sure 944 gearboxes are pretty bulletproof (only on 109k miles) so any ideas so I can fix the problem...(the slack not the virus!)

cheers one and all... jase )

p.s. is it just 'normal' to start accumulating 944's after your first one....is this what always happens [8D]?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Symptoms perfectly normal.
As for the car I'd check the tightness or not of wheel nuts and c/v joint bolts as a starter.

 

[Jonny944CS]

If it is an original clutch then it could possibly be the rubber damper breaking up. The 'clacking' sound may be the fail-safe dog teeth hitting each other.
" " " " aftermarket " " " " " " " damper springs may have sheared and dropped out.

There is a clutch inspection hole in the front bell housing, though its not possible to see a great deal.

Other possibilities (and easier to check first):
- Driveshaft CVs,
- Rear wheel bearings with broken-up central collar (if it is an early car)
- Damaged or loose prop shaft->gearbox coupling (visible through inspection hole with rubber cover)


If your still stuck, it is also worth reading Rob's thread. I think we explored every cause possible here. []

p.s. is it just 'normal' to start accumulating 944's after your first one....is this what always happens ?

I think you are definitely the norm rather than the exception []

 

[Golden944]

thanks guys,
if i drive easy on it it's not too bad and my feeling is it's play in a connection somewhere... so I'll try your suggestions first and see how I go.... but for sure two 944's will have to be my limit.... apparently, allegedly, supposedly, reportedly.. []

cheers and slack gears,
jase

 

[robwright]

Definitely check the gearchange linkage at the gearstick and the selector on the transaxle. As for the slop you may do well to check your transaxle hanger. It's the rubber mount that connects the transaxle to it's upper cross member. The cross member bolts to the chassis and the transaxle essentially hangs loose on the rubber mount. I was amazed how much movement there actually is in the gearbox [&:]

 

[Jonny944CS]

The early cars (pre 85.5) have two hangars and the crossmember is part of the body structure.

Worth a check, as Rob says, I have seen the central rubber piece de-laminate from the outer steel housing on several different cars.

 

[robwright]

You are quite right mate my schoolboy error for not checking the vintage but the priciple is still sound []

 

[Golden944]

with pictures!!!....you guys are Porschipedia! (That's referring to the knowledge base... not touching Porsches in inappropriate ways....although?!.... [:-] )

cheers for the advice... I'll check my rubbers!!

jase