The Derploader

Preloader

Preloader

The M32 Martyr
Just pulled the trigger on another MZ0. Found the best deal yet. $400+170 shipping.

And fortunately, I think my current MZ0 simply has bad shaft bearings. I'm gonna install the new MZ0 without swapping in the WaveTrac LSD. Then I'm gonna rebuild the one I take out with new upgraded shaft bearings, including better carrier bearings for the diff. Should be a big improvement.:banana:
 
S

stealth

New member
awesome I'm going to have to look into this. I am going to check out webcams to on the 7th they are about 30 minutes from me.
 
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The M32 Martyr
I had an interesting revelation about my "bad" transmission. It may be fine after all.

It was getting really hard to get into reverse, then slowly it started not letting me shift down into 2nd on decel. Then finally 1st started giving me trouble.

So I parked it, while I'm waiting for the used MZ0 to arrive, and have been taking my hooptie to work. Yesterday I had to move my Sonic out of my driveway to get a friend's car in to work on. Well, after sitting for 2 weeks, it's gotten reeeeaally bad. Transmissions don't get worse while sitting.

I'm 90% sure that it's the clutch hydraulics. The clutch is dragging noticeably with the pedal depressed. It seems likely that the hydraulic system is not sealed fully and is letting air in. I'm gonna investigate today, and try to re-bleed it.

If it's something simple, I'm going to be so glad I didn't prematurely swap trannies. Plus I'll have a back-up trans when the MZ0 arrives on Monday.
 
Preloader

Preloader

The M32 Martyr
I find myself getting tired of my Sonic. It's my fault, I built all the sensibility right out of it. It's a pain to drive in traffic, it's loud, it's low, only gets 30mpg, etc.

But not driving it for a couple weeks reminds how much I love it in spite of the reasons above. I particularly love all the amenities. My wife's Scion doesn't have bluetooth for hands free calling. It doesn't have ambient temp display.

The LTZ seats are soooo damn comfortable. And while it may not be the fastest car around, it can get up and get out very readily when threading the needle is needed on the freeway, even on a steep incline.
 
Preloader

Preloader

The M32 Martyr
No luck. But it's definitely an issue with the clutch itself. Looks like I'm gonna have to order a new clutch kit, just to have on hand for when I pull the trans out.
 
Insanika

Insanika

Super Moderator
It's kinda funny how you can become disenchanted with a favorite toy.. Then suddenly you're happy with it again. It's going to be a sad day when you decide to move on from the Preloader.
 
Preloader

Preloader

The M32 Martyr
Well it turns out my clutch disc was bad. The rivets had loosened on the dampening assembly and one of the springs lost a coil. The springs were dragging on the pressure plate making it very hard to shift.

I just threw in the spare Stage 4 rigid disc I had and I'm good to go. Shifts like butter now, and the rigid isn't noticeably harsher than the sprung disc.

The sprung Stg 4 only lasted 20k. I'm not impressed. Once this disc gives I'll be ready to give Spec some money.
 
S

sbelljr

New member
This worries me a bit. I've been sitting on my stage 4 sprung since last summer because I haven't had time to tear everything apart to install.
 
rsSteve

rsSteve

New member
Preloader said:
Well it turns out my clutch disc was bad. The rivets had loosened on the dampening assembly and one of the springs lost a coil. The springs were dragging on the pressure plate making it very hard to shift.

I just threw in the spare Stage 4 rigid disc I had and I'm good to go. Shifts like butter now, and the rigid isn't noticeably harsher than the sprung disc.

The sprung Stg 4 only lasted 20k. I'm not impressed. Once this disc gives I'll be ready to give Spec some money.
Click to expand...

I know a lot of people have had good experience with spec, but when I used their stage 2 on my stang it fried the 3rd time I launched it. I did do the 500 mile break-in like recommended and used a torque wrench to makes sure it was to factory specification. I believe they sent me the wrong pressure plate or something. When I called their customer service dept they pretty much said I was sol. They never wanted to see the pictures I had of it or even to send it back. They did offer 10% off if I bought another but I already received 6% off so that was of little use.

I then bought a centerforce clutch and installed it the exact same way as the spec stage 2. The centerforce worked excellent until they day I sold it.

Granted this was just my experience and wanted to share. Many people on the mustang forum I was apart of all had no issues with their spec, I might of just been the unlucky one. The part that upset me the most was the customer service and how they didn't really care to try to investigate farther.
 
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Preloader

Preloader

The M32 Martyr
Unfortunately CM's service is just as bad. I feel really bad for the people that have to pay a shop to do the clutch install, because CM nor Spec are gonna cover re-install costs if their product fails prematurely.

I am blessed that I have access to a buddy's shop and can do it myself in 3-4hrs. I've done it 10 times now on my Sonic. I can't imagine how much that would've cost in labor.
 
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Preloader

The M32 Martyr
Reaching out for a lil help.

I was heading home from work on the freeway... Friday woohoo. And I hear my warning chime going off. Look down and I'm showing 260°F. :eek:

Pull over. Can't get it to cool down. I tried blowing the heater, but the air coming out is surprisingly not very hot.

I suspect thermostat. I can get one tomorrow, but I gotta get home first.

If I sit for a while, it'll slowly get down to 200°, but almost as soon as I fire it up and start driving, it climbs fast.

I pray it's not the oil pump.

Any ideas?
 
$ub$onic

$ub$onic

The Sticker Guy
Could the stat be stuck closed?


I am grabbing at straws. That is really hot, and the heater not blowing hot hot air is strange.
 
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