I was just driving back home on the freeway and my transmission won't engage in 5th... the rpm almost passed the reds/limter but lucky I realized it and back off on the gas pedal. I downshifted to 4th and it was ok but feel like it's barely engaging so I stop to the side of the freeway and see I can engage in the other gears and it's also feel like it's barely engaging. After that I just kind of limb home on the inner roads. Is this mean my clutch is toasted? I have 75K on the C4 cab with some AXs. I have never had a clutch went out on me before since my previous cars were either sold before I have to replace a clutch or automatics. Does anyone have any sugguestions for on a transmission shop around Santa Clara CA area beside the dealer? What is the average cost to change the OEM clutch or maybe any upgarde clutch sugguestions if it is a clutch job...? Thanks in Advance.

 

that doesn't sound like a clutch prob to me! more like a tranny or linkage prob, do you have a SSK? if so it may have slipped and needs to be readjusted or else it's something more involved in the tranny, if it was clutch related then the rpms would just spike without you really accelerating (going anywhere),did this happen?? and gear engagement souldn't be an issue... by engagement do you mean that the clutch is not grabbing? or you can't get the car into a particular gear?

 

SSK wheels? no. Sorry it was late when I post this. What I mean by "engage" was I can shift it into 5th; no power transfer from engine to the wheel and rpm spiked which is why I think the clutch is not grabbing. Also I don't believe the clutch has ever been replaced. I also put it into second when I was on the side of the road and it also did the same. Other gears feels like it was lack of power compare. There maybe some minor linkage problem since sometime I can not put it into second when I shift fast. I guess I will need to bring it to the shop but not sure which one. Also what is the cost of a clutch replacment...I just spent $2k on tires and schedule maintenance!

 

Sounds like your clutch is a toast. It should't be that $$$ to do it. About ~1k for a dealer

 

SSK=Short Shift Kit.

There are a lot of good independents in Campbell. Start looking around there. A clutch change is really straight forward, I don't see a need to have it done by the dealer. You may need a new flywheel and that will increase the cost.

 

Thanks Andy, I notice that too but it's hard fine to find a honest mechanics out there-been to too many of them and next thing they will be telling me I will need a brand new transmission. Do you have any particular one you recommend?

 

I've used CT Automotive. Tony runs the place they seem to be honest. http://www.ctautomotive.net/
My neighbor also swears by Import Connection.
http://www.import-connection.com/
I've heard Rennworks is good too, but don't have any personal experience with them.
http://rennwerks.com/

Others have also had good luck going by the local "Golden Gate" region of PCA for recommendations.
http://www.pca-ggr.org/localmech.cgi

Good Luck!
Andy

 

Definatly sounds like a clutch to me, sucks man!

I'm not sure what your budget is, but perhaps look into a heavier clutch/lightened balanced flywheel. On every all motor car I built I always went with at least a stage II clutch and lightened flywheel and it makes a huge difference, I don't know your driving style but if it is relatively spirited then you would probably appreciate the nice quick revs and the nice clutch feel

 

If it were a clutch problem, wouldn't it be present in every gear?

I am thinking it could either a shifter alignment problem (inexpensive) or a transmission problem (expensive).

Good luck.