🚀 go-pugleaf

Speaking of GM transmissions, I have a Citation with the 4 speed transmission
(4 cylinder engine).  This might be the same transmission available in the J
car but I'm not sure.  In any case, there is a big gap between third and fourth
gears, and I do most of my driving at about 40 mph which is right in the middle
of the gap - so I find I shift between third and fourth rather frequently.
This is more of a nuisance than a problem, yet it is a situation where the
five speed might do better, or even (ugh) the automatic!

						Stephen Klein
						...!decvax!genrad!panda!srk

	DON'T DO IT. I own a 1982 buick skyhawk 4 cy 4 sp. manual trans.
at 18,000 the trans made a pop sound (actual a bang) and then stopped
working.  Very nicely (they knew I'd have fire bombed the dealer if they had 
not) GM decided to cover the cost of replacement as a good will gesture.

	At 32,000 miles I heard the same pop (bang).  Brought it to the dealer
(actually I had it towed) explained what happened the last time, and left it.
they called a few hours later and said that it was fixed, an adjustment.

	One month to the day later the car no go when the clucth is out.
Back to the dealer.  This time theyt agree that I have a problem and go to work.
$450.00 later they have replace the pressure plate, through out bearing, resurfaced the flywheel, etc. etc. etc.  When asked what went wrong they told me
that I abused the car (I don't, and we won't argue the fact.).

	Not letting them give me that as an answer I asked for the old parts.

	Here's what hapened.  The springs which apply pressure to the pressure
plate collapsed (according to GM the ONLY thing that could cause this is from
popping the clutch), the collapsed springs in turn allowed the pressure plate to warp due to the uneven pressure.

	The warped plate weakens, catches off center, cut flywheel, ruin entire cclutch assy.
	
	The clutch also seemed a lot smaller then what I thought it should be 
(about 10 - 12 inches across).

	I have now got 48,000 miles on the car, and am getting ready to
trade in on a new, probably imported, car.   Any suggestions?

	Now for the good news.  I decided to bring GM to the BBB auto 

	arbitration deal.  A GM rep, a private citizen dis - interested
third party type person and you sit in a room and tell your side.  The
arbiter listens,  makes a decision, and it sticks for the car people,
but you can fight the decision.

	The decision was in my favor since I told them that it happened 
before and they did'nt act accordingly.  When asked for a dollar amount
of what it would have cost had the repairs been done the first time the
GM rep couldn't come up with one so the BBB said give it all back.

	Now this may sound as if it all came out ok, but don't forget
the inconvenience, the fact that it broke in the first place, and
the fact that I had to go through the hassle of bringing to the BBB
they would give back my money.

	Again - DON'T BUY IT.

P.S.  What issue of what magazine was the report on J clutches?  I would
like to read it.