[urq] WX Transmission

[Buchholz, Steven]

> This morning when i went out to start my car... i put it in 
> neutral on flat ground and hit the key.  My foot was still 
> pushing in the clutch (habit), but after a second when i let 
> off... the car seemed to creep ever so slowly forward.  It 
> went a little more as i revved it.  After a minute it stopped.

How cold is the ambient temp where you are?  Is the car parked outside?
What you are describing are the classic symptoms of cold gear oil in a
transmission.  The oil actually couples the rotation of the primary shaft
through the gears to the secondary shaft.  You can reduce this effect by
replacing the tranny oil ... IME, RedLine MT90 does not suffer as much of
this coupling when cold.  One other thing you may notice is that it can be
more difficult to select gears with the shifter under these conditions.
Here again, the molasses in the tranny makes the synchros work tougher.  Be
gentle on the tranny until it gets up to temp ... you might cause undue wear
to the synchros ...
> 
> I've also been having strange noises coming from the front 
> when "engine braking."  It's mainly on the expressway when i 
> just let off the gas, it sounds(and feels) like a tire 
> rubbing on a hard turn would. This is ruled out because, for 
> one i am not turning, and also because it feels like its 
> coming from the middle of the car.  It only makes the noises 
> when in gear and when my foot is off the gas and clutch.
> 
> It's  been asking for me to put in a clutch slave, but i 
> havent the time lately.  Would this have any effect?
> 
... I don't see any correlation to a clutch slave and this sort of noise.  I
would recommend that you give the engine and transmission mounts a good
check ... look to see if perhaps the oil pan is sitting on the subframe.
Another thing to check is the propshaft ... the two sections should be
co-linear and centered in the tunnel.  Lube the fitting on the U-joint in
the middle of the prop shaft while you are in there ... this will most
likely be the first time it has ever been serviced since the car was new.
Another thing to check is the exhaust system hangers ... they can stretch
and break and cause the exhaust system to contact something it should not
... 

Steve B.
San Jose, Kaleefohnia (USA)