So Monday I cant get my truck in gear on the drive home after I stop at a light. So I slammed the damn thing in gear and got home. I figure my slave cylinder just crapped out on me. I drive it over to a Transmission shop across town (yeah, I know, but there was no other way to get it there). They pull the drain plug and they guy told me metal chunks were found in the fluid and on the Drain Plug. WTF!? I can only assume me wrestling it into gear made it chip something. He said it was not copper, but metal. Whatever. Any input on what might have happened? I dont rag on it either. What am I looking at as far as cost? I know its hard to guess, but I am having them throw a new Clutch and Slave in it while they are there. Also, the thing only has 48K on it.

 

order the clutch yourself youll save big money. Labor your lookin the in range for like 250-300 if they give you a good price.

 

thats when mine went out too... i drove mine to the shop as well but i filled the clutch fluid back up before i went and made sure to not shift very often and i didnt have and problems... make sure that they re-surface the flywheel when they change the clutch out

 

Well I'm more concerned about the chunks of transmission in the fluid! I was already expecting to spend about $1000 on the clutch and slave, but I just wonder what this may have been? Could I have broken off parts of the gears or something?

 

I have found large chunks on magnetic drain plugs from ford vehicles in the past. Most of the time its either bearing material or synchronizer material... I have really seen some nice size chunks on the drainplug and have had very little noise or problems out of them... I would say get the clutch fixed first before addressing the tranny.

 

And I assume they need to be replaced anyways (the chipped parts?)

 

I had big metal chunks on my drain plug when first gear let go. i built it my self as well so i saved alot of cash .... if its a gear they are very expensive .... it its the counter shaft under the gears that is even more expensive ... a gear is around 100 bucks, the counter shaft is almost 200 bucks .... plus the labor .... sorry to hear about your mis fortune ... hopfully its not that bad!

-Jared

 

Metal chips happen in a manual transmission. That's why it has a magnetic drain plug. The question is how big and how much? If you just see a paste of oil and fine filings on surface of the magnet, that's normal and there's nothing to be concerned about. More and larger pieces may mean trouble.

Here's a magnetic drain plug from a fragged transmission. The plug ends where the gold color ends, the rest is ferrous debris.

 

So I should ask to see the chunks then, huh? If they cant produce them or the chipped parts, I'll be mad. I'm not a trusting type with the mechanics and my money.

 

If you had the fluid level correct I'm guessing its ok. If you had a leak and it wasnt full it might be crapping out.

 

I just changed my tranny fluid at only 15,000 miles there where metal shavings and the thick goo on the drain plug . I'd ask to the drain plug ! i had my oil changed at 3,000 miles and they told me there was metal in the rear diff fluid and so when i changed it last week along with all the other fluids i found there wasn't really any metal in the fluid they are full of crap so watch out and look for yourself . I personaly plan to change all the fluids once a year in late winter before spring summer come and i'm doing alot of offroading .its cheap its easy and with all the dust/ water / mud and abuse i think it is a good idea. since i changed the tranny fluid the stick moves sooooooo much easier its like butter compared to before .