97 Bonneville SSE trans problem

Jan 31, 2008 3 Replies

My sons 97 Bonneville crapped out.



I put it in reverse and it made a hard clunk. Then when I put it in drive it worked but about a block later it started making a horrible rattling, grinding noise. The only gear that would move forward is L1.



I drove it home (5 blocks) in L1 at about 5mph while making this horrible sound.



It makes the sound when in park, but not as loud. Is this a fried clutch plate or is the transmission toast?



I can get a used one from a U-Pull it for $275. How hard is this to do in my garage? I've done rear wheel drive before but never a front wheel drive and it intimidates the crap out of me. :)



Garage wants $1300 for a used one installed with no warranty.


Likely chewed thebig "spline" out of the clutch housing. Can't remember the actual name of the part - but I did it on my '94 3.8.

I think it's called the forward clutch hub. It's pretty flimsy when you get a look at it.. Could also be the Lo roller clutch. Actually more likely than the clutch nhub, becaue IIRC that just took out drive

I assume the whole thing has to come out to fix that?? I'm good enough to take a transmission out and back in but not too knowledgeable about working on them. All my experience is rear wheel drive stuff from the 70's. :)

Lannie

Def>>

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