I just got my first car and it is a 1997 ford mustang 3.8 v6 with a manual 5 speed transmission...well i was driving it the other day and being new at stick i grinded the gears and suddenly a loud clanking noise happened and the car stoped moving, so i rolled to a stop and tried to start the car again it started right up no problem with the motor at all it sounded great but as soon as i let of clutch not even in gear a loud grinding and clanking noise started and it will not move when in gear. So i guess the question is does anyone have a clue on what i broke?

 

Clutch plate.....linkage..something .

 

how do i tell if its the clutch plate?

 

Come to think of it if it was the pressure plate then it really should engage at all and not make a grinding sound. Someone better chime in. I haven't had a clutch in 25 years. I blew my last one out and it wouldn't engage at all.

 

Sounds like the you broke the gears/syncros in the trans and its slinging the pieces around inside. When you release the clutch, you are engaging the input shaft of the trans which spins even though the tailshaft stays stationary. You will either need a new trans or a rebuild.

 

alright i have a pick and pull near my house and the transmission is just over 100 bucks is it worth the risk? and how hard is it too pull a manual trans?

 

its easy to swap trans.

1. remove shifter (2 bolts)
2. mark location on pinion flange and remove driveshaft (4bolts)-be careful because trans fluid will come out of tailshaft when you do.
3. unplug reverse sensor
4. unplug speedo cable
6. remove trans crossmember (2 bolts)
7. remove trans to bellhousing (4 bolts)

Install is reverse.

 

alright i can do and know how to do most of that im only 18 and ive been working on mostly engines so forgive me for not knowing how to do some of this stuff. so would i have to go from inside of car to remove shifter? and what are you talking about when you said mark location on pinion flange? thank you i appreicate the help

 

yes you have to remove the shift "ball" then the plastic trim bezel from inside, it will take a little effort to remove it but it will pop off, then you will see two bolts holding the shifter on the trans.

you want to put a mark from the driveshaft flange onto the pinion flange of the rear axle so you install the driveshaft back in the same location, otherwise there is a possibility of a vibration.

 

Since you have to pull the clutch anyway, replacing the clutch and throw-out bearing makes a lot of sense. By the time the transmission is worn out, the clutch is heavily usually heavily worn..

I hope this is useful.