Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting dead clutch?

95 Contour GL, 195xxx miles on it
I was driving my friend to work and all of a sudden i couldnt put it into gear,turned onto a small street,stopped at a stop sign, wouldnt pop into gear.

turned off the car,and could then put it into any gear, if i turn the car on while its in a gear, it acts as if its an automatic, pulls forward without me touching the clutch.

earlier that day the car was acting funny, alot of lost power, i put it into first and drove like i would normally, the car hardly accelarated but the RPM's would shoot up really high.

my question is, is it the clutch?just wanted to be sure since i dont really have any automotive expertise.and if it is the clutch, how much would it cost to replace?

if i left anything out lemme know and ill post.

my experience would indicate a clutch, most defenitely..


You can shift with the car off, and then start the car, the car lunges forward (the starter pulling it forward, and then eventually the engine lugging itself forward). This would indicate, to me, a broken clutch spring(s?) not allowing the clutch disc to disengage from the flywheel. This exact problem was just rectified via the wife's car, and it also ruined the nose cone, as well.

Clutch, nose cone, NEW REAR MAIN SEAL (~$20.00, CANNOT be replaced without dropping the tranny, again.. so do it while it is down, BEFORE it goes out..)

Search around your normal avenues to obtain a new clutch (make sure it has a new clutch disc, and pressure plate in there..) and be ready to have to pay for another smaller piece (nose cone, etc) if it did happen to get ruined (not saying it did...)

If you can't get a good price, Contact STEVE at Tousla Ford, and just mention the SVT plan. He hasn't stated that it is for SVT owners/cars only.. he specifically told me that anyone with that number would get the ~55% discount from list price.

Also try Bill Jenkins at Signature Lincoln Mercury, in Nevada. He is able to offer ~33% off.
(his number is VERY popular.. search troubleshooting for "bill" and "1-800" and you'll have it.

Steve at Tousla is 1-800-328-9552.
Shipping is normally around 3 days. (order Monday evening, have it by Thursday evening)

Ray

thanks ray, i figured it was the clutch..well, i will nto be doin the work myself, going to get my car to the mechanics tommarow morning, and hopefully he will finish it by the time i get out of school so i can pick it up n goto work.unfortunatly i cannot be without the car for three days.
I really appreciate the advice, do you know approximatly how much it will all cost?

Can steve get any parts for that 55% off?

~Alex