I have a 1988 v6 manual, theres a couple things I'm worried about.

On the sway bar there are two rubber "gromits" being held up with metal clasps, one side looks like a DIY repair with a different clasp and has slipped off of the rubber piece on the passenger side. I am thinking that needs to be replaced... Sorry for the teminology I just don't know the names of these parts


(generic photo)

Secondly, there is a oil leak which seems to be coming from the transmission although I can't tell where.... need some suggestions/solutions.

Can you guys help me out?

 

You can buy new polly sway bar busings that come with new brackets. Most auto parts stores sell them. There are several places the trany can leak from. The most common are the oil pan gasket and the O-Ring on the bottom of the dip stick tube.

 

Well, Crazy, he mentioned its a manual, so it won't have an oil pan or dipstick. I'm going to guess thats its either the input or output seal. Those are common places to leak on these trucks. Can you tell if its coming from the front or back of the transmission.

 

Ya skip what I said on the trasmission leak.

 

Thanx for the replies... So I can buy the brackets and bushings from anywhere? any specific kind?

I'm pretty sure the trans is leaking from the front. I can't see where, but its coming from near the front of the shield there. I've had this truck for over a month now and has only been driven about 89-90 miles so far from me, so luckily I'm not just driving it constantly with the leak... Also has a minor exaust leak which I tried to fix with some J.B. Weld.... Might go over it again.

 

JB weld will melt right off... I know by experience!

Yeah, if its coming from the front behind the dust sheild, its very likely to be the input seal. This will require removing the transmission to replace it. Mine has a very slow leak, but its my own fault for not replacing it before putting the tranmission in. I'll fix it some day, but I have no interest in removing the transmission... I've done it too many times in the past year.

 

Thanx for the fast reply... The exhaust leak isn't that bad but I'll try to get that done asap... As far as the trans is that an easy fix? I also have a noise when the truck is running idle... goes away when I engage the clutch... I was told this is probably the throwout bearing, so I'm thinking about replacing the clutch altogether, but if i buy one from ebay is that going to come with a throwout bearing? sorry for the stupid questions....

 

Well if you're going to replace the clutch, it will give you the perfect opportunity to replace that seal. I can't answer how hard it is because I didn't pay that close of attention to the back of the bellhousing before putting in my transmission, but it shouldn't be too hard.

This noise... is this with the transmission in neutral and the clutch engaged, or with the clutch disengaged. My transmission makes a noticable noise with the transmission in neutral and the clutch engaged that goes away when the clutch is dissengaged or the transmission is in gear. I've written it off as nothing to worry about, but this might be different than what yours is doing.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking, just do them both together. Is there a way to be sure where the leak is coming from?

The noise only happens when it's idle and the clutch is DISENGAGED, as soon as I engage it the sound is gone... This is in neutral. That's why I think it's the throwout bearing, also there was an issue with 3rd gear being sort of fussy to get in but it seems to have fixed itself and shifts smoothly now... but originally thought possible linkage problem. I may have to wait on that clutch, but I need to make sure whatever i get is a complete kit that includes the throwout bearing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-B...Q5fAccessories

Says it comes with "clutch release bearing" which I assume is the throwout bearing...

 

Ok, just making sure we're on the same page with the noise... sounds to me from your description like it's the throwout bearing as well. And yes the throwout bearing is the "clutch release bearing."

I'm always weary about the quality of parts sold on ebay like that, but it's definately a good price. I've just had too much experience in the past with cheap clutch discs "chattering" while starting from a stop.