90 5spd problems:confused

[gr8bryt]

Greetings folks, I think I broke my car today. Let me preface this by giving the initial issue. I've been hearing a clunking sound coming from under the car, there's sluggish engagement, and I usually have to rev above 3K just to get it going. I've kicked it around a few folks but never really had it professionally examined. The consensu was that I had a bad mid-shaft bearing. While on the freeway driving home today, the car feels as though it's loosing power. In order to keep up with traffic I basically have to accelerate and keep the tach above 3K. While doing this, the car seems as though its really struggling to meet my request. This infestation is affecting all the gears, does anyone have input to add to this situation? Thanks in advance.

[iwantasileightysr]

well.. first off what did you do to promote this problem?

second: you probably shouldnt drive it if its doing that

[gr8bryt]

I don't drive my car hard, I believe this is just a factor of age and stock components (kinda like u-joints). Occasionally I drive above 70 mph, but not very often...once or twice/ month.

Currently sitting @ home parked until I can find resolution.

[Monkey87]

What about the clutch? How old is it? Is it slipping, or is it just the loss of power?

[gr8bryt]

I don't believe it's the clutch because when I bought the car last summer the seller indicated he recently replaced the clutch. I'm confident that the problem lies somewhere between the transmission output and differential input. I can hear a clunking type sound when the car is in "N" and rolling @ speeds between 5-10mph. Furthermore the noise is consistent w/ driveshaft revolution.

[180fan]

check out the bearing on the driveshaft and also the differential.

[iwantasileightysr]

there is also a bearing on the trans output shaft. sounds to me like your mid shaft though. you ahvent specified yet whether or not you have checked the midshaft yet haha

[gr8bryt]

Some folks have suggested Mid-shaft bearing, but honestly I've been so caught up w/ life, wife, kids, school, work, etc....I suppose I'll have to take my car to a transmission shop for an accurate diagnosis huh???

[Monkey87]

The biggest thing is isolating and locating the sound. Transmissions can be very alluring, especially when it comes to diagnosis. The sound may seem to be coming from the transmission when it could be something else.

[gr8bryt]

I'm really hoping that it's not the transmission, but I don't know if a regular repair shop would be set up to effectively deal with whatever my problem is. I've got my mom's TL for now as a loaner until I get this thing tucked away.

[iwantasileightysr]

to check the midshaft bearing just jack your car up and there will be a mounting bracket attached to your driveshaft right behind the trans that bolts to the body of your car you cant miss it. just see if the bearing is bad. if its bad you should be able to wiggle the driveshaft quite a bit. which would be the source of your sound because it doesnt hold the shaft securely allowing it to jump around. if its just that then its a pretty easy fix.

[gr8bryt]

I'll try getting under there today or tomorrow depending on the weather to see if I can get a better look. Thnx