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Keith

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  • in reply to: Mechanic Fails #868149
    KeithKeith
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      Never forget my worst blunder lol. I had been in the business for only a few years and was working at a shop doing mostly maintenance work with a few starters, alternator things like that. This was back in the 90s when it was still ok to learn as you go. Most of new experiences where always on my own vehicles though. Well I had a late 80s Camaro that the clutch went out. So due to not having extra bays I had to attempt this repair in the back parking lot. Of course I jacked the car way up and put it on stands all the way around. It looked like I was trying to build a 4×4 thats how high it was in the air. Anyway mistake number one was putting the stands under the rear axle. As most of you know those year Camaro had the bar running from the end of trans to the rear end. Needless to say when I loosened the last bolt the part at the end of trans slammed into the floor board. That’s when I found out I could pull up and down on it and roll the rear end that happen to be on the stands. Real quick I decided not to do that anymore. Anyway I pull the trans and change out the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. It really seemed to be going smoothly for a first timer. Took my time lining up the clutch and all so that trans sled right in no problems. That is until I was done and tried to drive it. Not matter what it would not go into gear while running. But I could put it in gear, start the car let off the clutch and drive. Problem was when I needed to shift it would not come out of gear unless I shut the engine off with the clutch in and shifted then restarted in the next gear and released the clutch. It was the end of the day, I was tired and said whatever I will drive home this way and figure it out tomorrow. When I got it back to the shop and back up in the air I could not figure out the problem. So my only choice was to tear it all back down. Well I found the problem. In all my concern over making sure the clutch plate was lined perfect for the shaft I had done what has been said is impossible and put the clutch plate in backwards. Some say you can’t but I am proof that yes you can. Needless to say I had to buy all new parts and do it right because that plate didn’t look so good. I’m sure I could think of other mistakes while learning but that one stands out the most.

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