Rough gear changes, slight overheating. Creaking front axle.

Tiny
HENSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 SATURN SW2
  • 172,500 MILES
Transmission fluid is low, despite recent flush & refill. Shifting into drive & reverse causes loud "clunk" & a tell-tale jolt that can be felt from the inside indicating rough gear changes. Oil level is full. Coolant a bit low as well. Engine temp. Is normal while cruising but jumps up to 1/2 - 3/4 in stop & go driving. Also, I recently had the power steering fluid flushed & refilled. Before the flush I had no problems, but now the axle creaks quite a bit when I turn.
Monday, July 29th, 2013 AT 7:15 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Okay. As far as the shifting, if the fluid is low, that could be causing the issue. Fill that first.

Next, it sounds like the cooling fans are not coming on. When you are driving, air flows through the radiator cooling the coolant. When you stop, so does the air flow unless the fans turn on to produce a flow. Make sure they are coming on.

As far as the noise you are hearing when turning, it sounds like a dry bushing or stabilizer bar bushing. Check that first. To be honest, flushing the PS fluid and replacing it with new really can't cause any creaks.

Let me know what you find.
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Monday, July 29th, 2013 AT 7:34 PM

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