TR3650 clunking in every gear

[Im_Emaroni]

For a little backstory, I manual swapped my car at the beginning of the year and it’s been driving great up until now. Last week I got a flat tire on a hill so I put it in gear, chalked the wheel, and got to work (e-brake doesn’t work). When the movement from torquing the lug nuts down got to the car, it started to roll back(chalk moved) before I jumped in and pressed the brake. I believe it was in 3rd gear and rolled about 6 inches back in total. When I went to drive off, every single gear started making a rotational clunking noise. If it’s moving in any gear or in neutral, with the clutch in or out it makes the noise. Some gears and combinations are worse than others. 2nd gear is the only forward gear that is pretty much quiet. 3rd is the worst. I drove it home and put it up in the air to check the shift linkage since it sounded like it wasn’t fully going into gear. I ran the car through each gear while off and moved the wheels which remained locked up. I’m not super familiar with manual transmissions, especially rwd ones. In conclusion I was hoping someone else could give me some advise before I pull the trans and see if I can’t rebuild it. The only mods is the short throw shifter was made by MGW and doesn’t have any adjustments that I am aware of, and an aftermarket clutch (which I don’t think is the problem).

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Sorry to hear your tale of woe but here are some tips for the future:

1. When parked with the nose of the car facing uphill, put the gear lever into 1st.

2. When parked with the nose of the car facing downhill, put the gear lever into Reverse.

3. If you're parked next to a curb, place the car so that the lowest of the two wheels on the curbside is closest to the curb. This will limit the distance the car can roll.

4. Fix the parking brake so you're not having to rely on the engine and the clutch to prevent the car from rolling.

I have a feeling that the clutch friction plate was damaged when the car rolled. I hope it didn't cause secondary damage to the flywheel. The only way to diagnose the problem will be to remove the transmission. If indeed it IS the clutch assembly, you could use the opportunity to upgrade.