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99 Metro Clutch issue; Will clutch but can't move shifter into the right gear without a lot of effort.
Topic Started: Dec 5 2013, 12:48 PM (957 Views)
Tali
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I need to know what we're looking at, in terms of cost, to fix the shifting problem with out 99 Geo Metro hatchback. It's stick shift, but lately has been unable to shift(without incredible effort) from gear to gear. I've been told that the gearbox could be out of alignment, that it's missing a bearing (causing a grinding sound when driven), and/or that it's leaking some kind of oil from the gearbox.

History:
In July, my husband was driving it 100 miles a day for work. In an emergency situation, he forgot to E-brake, and when returning to the vehicle, he found it had rolled through a fence and into a ditch. It was muddy and he ended up getting assistance to push it out of the ditch. After that incident, it became harder and harder to shift from gear to gear, until after 2 weeks or so, it was impossible. His step-dad took a look at it, added some oil and did something (can't understand much of what he says because he has a thick drawl-type accent and slurs all his words together), and it ran (with a grinding noise) until it eventually got harder and harder to shift once again. The end of August was the last time it was driven, and it's been sitting since.

Recently, for Thanksgiving, we turned it on to put it in neutral to move it to make space for visitors, and were reminded that it runs absolutely fine - engine starts up and all. It's just the shifting that remains just as difficult as before. We can get it to first and reverse with a lot of shoving, but it's otherwise impossible to drive normally.

So...what do you think we're looking at? A clutch problem, gearbox, or something else? The mechanic we go to charges $50/hr, and I'm willing to spend $400 to get it fixed, but anything more than that, I'm going to start questioning if we should instead look into another Geo or something else. This geo has the dreadful rust problem in the frame/wheel well area - not sure what it's called - but it's half way gone, if not a little more than that. Husband thinks it'll be fine for a long time, but I'm dubious.

Thoughts and input is welcome and very appreciated~
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00Metro
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If it's rusted that bad, tranny mounts or engine mounts might be gone. Linkage could be bent up from sliding in the ditch. Jack up the car and take pictures and we'll let you know more.
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Woodie
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If it looks halfway gone, it's probably gone. There's usually more rust than you can see on the inside.
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Tali
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We just got hit with a shitton of snow and ice, and we don't have anything to jack up the car. :/
Would the mounts affect the radiator? I vaguely remember the mechanic telling us something about a certain mount being rusty, but he never elaborated, just said it would last a while. Then earlier this year, we took the car on a 1500 mile trip, and half way through, it started to overheat (it never got to the point of smoking - we turned on the heat and it seemed to help it.) Ever since then (June 14th), we had to drive with the heat on to prevent it from getting too hot. Could it be related?

It does sound like this car's on its last leg. Talked to husband last night and he still insists it's worth spending whatever we need to get it running again (because of 50+ mpg, if nothing else). *shrug* Oh well, I guess. If it carries us through another year, it won't be that bad, I just worry about him driving it for work when it is running. If that part of the frame that's rusted collapses while driving, could that cause a bad wreck?
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Murf 59
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Yes a rusty collapsed frame can cause an accident. There seems to be more than one unrelated problems with this Metro. First, the hard shifting. I would first check the adjustment on the clutch cable to make sure its releasing. If its still a problem. Then I would make sure the mounts and linkage are in good shape. IF its still hard shifting. Put a clutch in this car. And stop forcing it to shift. Its only damaging parts inside the trans. The heating problem is more than likely a blown head gasket. What part of the country are you in? We have members who help Metro owners. Send Geo Glenn a PM.
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Old Man


Metros in the 'rust belt' with the description of the rust you give are too dangerous to be on the road. If you can see rust you are only seeing 1/3 of it, the other 2/3 are hidden.
Don't know where you live. If you live up North or Northeast you should probably look for a car from the deep south or from the west or south west. Probably pick one up for less than what fixing yours would be.
Just guessing from your brief description
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truckjohn


Well... You could *ALSO* have filled up the transmission with water... and it would do just what you are talking about if you didn't drain out all the water.. Refill with oil... drive it on the interstate a few hundred miles to burn off the water... Lather, rinse, repeat....

Check tranny oil... If it looks like milkshake/Mayonnaise... Not Good! It will form Ice in there (Won't shift) and rust everything to bits..... Ruin the bearings and synchros... Then - you need another tranny.....

Be prepared to put a rebuilt tranny on it....

Thanks
Edited by truckjohn, Dec 6 2013, 05:30 PM.
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Cobrajet25
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I had this happen because of dry and rusty bushings in the shift linkage. One bolt was so bad that I could not HAMMER it out of the shift rod. I had to replace the shift rod. Once I replaced it and added some silicone lube, it was smooth as butter.

Check the simple stuff first.
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davegran
Old Fart w/Wrenches

Just a couple things come to mind; the shift linkage hangs down below the car and most likely got damaged in the ditch incident. In addition, if the impact was hard enough, you could have broken one of the aluminum motor mounts. Then there is the rust and the overheating.

Looking at the totality of the situation, your husband may have to spend some serious money if he wants to keep this car. I'm not saying it can't be done, but if you have to pay for all the work it won't be pretty.... :shake
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