DeTomaso Mailing List: March 98, Message #186
     



From: 	Dave & Carol Aument <hooligan@redrose.net>

Subject: ZF horror story.....(me thinks)

Date: 	Wed, 4 Mar 1998 18:20:31 +0000



All,

  Today started out great, I had just fininshed up a complete suspension

and brake upgrade. I got up early to take the car to get a four wheel

alignment, it was an uneventful drive (no problems). I took the car to a

customer of mine (I work the the parts business )whom I trust. After a few

calls back and forth to confirm my desired alignment setting the car was

pronounced finished.....a small problem was encountered....now the car

refused to move when the clutch was released! The tech was on his way out

to "test" drive the car when this happened. 



  Upon ariving the car was sitting outside and sure enough the damn thing

only made "cracking noises" when releasing the clutch. Sixty-five dollars

and a tow home later revealed that the car could be pushed in gear as if it

was in neutral. A quick check of the shift linkage inside the cover (on

back of trans) comfirmed what I felt. The trans felt to be shifting

properly and a visual confirmed this. With a light in the bellhousing

inspection hole the input shaft remained stationary when pushing the car in

gear...that ruled out some kind of freaky clutch failure....A quick call to

Dennis @ PPC confirmed what I had thought, pull the ZF and the gold card

and ship both to him. I did drain as much oil out as I could (it wasn't

warm...duh!) and I found a few small metallic particles in there.....not

much...not big chunks either. 



  Ok guys......whats busted????  ring gear bolts? pinion? input shaft? the

winner gets all of the old stinky gear oil shipped freight collect to them.

I thought these things were just about bulletproof.....I tend to believe my

customer that he hadn't even made it out of the garage before this

happened....sigh....







							never ending project car  4262      Dave