Bad knock in 2nd gear

[firechief5215]

We had or state fire conference parade today. We unloaded our early 28 February model a out of the trailer. We drove about a 1/2 mile all the sudden when we shifted from 1st to 2nd, 2nd has a terrible clunking noise. We had to finish the parade using 1st and 3rd . They may have had a small noise also but not bad. I know this should have the multi disc cluch it but it appears to be the regular clutch. Don't know if transmission was changed or what but if it was changed it would of been at least 50 years ago, How can I be for sure what transmission we have. Is this a in house repair or could you suggest where we could crate it up and ship it for repair. I believe the rear needs repaired also because for about 15 years now when you let off the clutch it made a clunk noise , Kind of like a universal joint but only did it for a second not like the transmission is doing. It has the original rear in it. Thank You Billy Houston Vol. Fire Co

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Billy,

Even if the engine is fine, sounds like you need to quit driving it & begin investigating the drive train.

From miles away, difficult to see exactly what you have.

May be a good idea to seek immediate assistance from a local Model A guy to determine exactly what needs to be done..

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Pull the floor boards and shift tower and look at the gears. I'll bet some teeth are missing.

[larrys40]

I would as chuck said pull the trans top and look at the gear teeth . You don't want to make it any worse. Remove rear and trans to repair . My bet is the cluster but if it is in fact 2nd and high slider they can be replaced without trans removal.

Drain and wash down with brake clean to inspect gears and case thoroughly
Larry Shepard

[firechief5215]

How can I tell for sure what transmission I have. Our truck does have the parking brake on the left side of the seat but don't appear to be the multi disc clutch. Do you have pictures of what the differences is between the earlier and later transmission or something I can measure. Billy

[J Franklin]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

All the 3 speed Model A transmissions use the same gears so you needn't worry about what year trans. you have. If you are real lucky you will have a bit of metal stuck in a gear cog that you can remove so keep your fingers crossed.

[Mitch//pa]

Did you ever check or change both the fluids during your ownership

[firechief5215]

Yes it was completely serviced the end of November before we start our Christmas parades, It is our first fire truck bought new in 28 and all we use it for now is parades and funerals

[1931 flamingo]

Is this a 3 speed or 4 speed transmission.??
Paul in CT

[WestCoast]

now you have me curious, how can you replace any gear in the trans with out pulling it? maybe i missed something in the post

[firechief5215]

It is a 3 speed Transmission

[andyfresno]

Billy,

First, don't drive the car. If there are loose metal pieces in the tranny, they can get in between the gears and break the case. This loose metal can be teeth, or more commonly, one of the pins that hold the forks in place.

You need to take the tranny out to replace gears. You can either take the engine and tranny out by unbolting the u joint housing, or you can take the rear end out and unbolt the flywheel housing.

In your case, since you want to do the rear end anyway - -I'd take the rear end out. You should at least consider a high speed rear end - -gets you a few more miles per hour.

About your clutch, take a look through the access cover on the flywheel housing.

I've personally removed, repaired and replaced trannys on about a dozen cars. (twice on my 29) I have no idea of the basis of the other comments

[CWPASADENA]

I would first remove the drain plug and see what comes out with the oil.

My opinion,

Chris W.

[andyfresno]

No harm in draining the oil.

If it's got a bunch of metal pieces in it - -that's bad -don't drive the car.

If it is nice and clean, the piece causing the problem is stuck somewhere - -don't drive the car.

[1955cj5]

The interior of the transmission is pretty basic...you should see this when you remove the tower...you might need a new gasket when you put it back together..

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

now you have me curious, how can you replace any gear in the trans with out pulling it? maybe i missed something in the post

Actually you can remove the rear axle, u joint, rear trans bearing retainer and remove the rear bearing with the main shaft and the two slider gears 1st and reverse and 2nd / high. Additionally you can replace the input shaft pocket bearing if you wish . All WITHOUT removing the trans .

I have done this for a service issue several times.
If course I prefer comprehensive rebuilding on the bench but if that fixes the issue as it did it was very quick and efficient

Larry Shepard

[andyfresno]

Larry is correct

I'd be wanting to replace all the bearings and get a good look at all the gears and the housing itself.

Besides - -it's only what? 14 bolts? - -15 minutes?

[firechief5215]

Thank you for all your help, I am pulling the top off tomorrow to see what I find Thank you again for all your help

[larrys40]

Billy,
Thanks for the updates.... it's always appreciated when we respond that original posters post back and let us know how things go....

My recommendation is to pull the top, drain the lubricant, and wash down with brake clean to expose things better. wash down so you can inspect the gears. You will have to rotate the engine to inspect all teeth on the cluster. Hopefully it is OK.... if not.... of course it will have to be removed as Andy indicated. If it's just a slider you can replace as I prescribed... , if more you will have to remove the transmission. It is not that big of a deal but is more work... but allows it to be repaired on the bench.

I recommend removing the rear and doing the trans as opposed to removing the engine unless engine service is required at the same time.
Post a photo or two if you can... best of luck. Too bad you're not closer, Drivetrain rebuilding and restoration and troubleshooting are my specialties.

sounds like a cool fire truck!

Best of luck
Larry Shepard

[George Miller]

Not a very good picture, but it looks like 2gear to me. They call it second and third sliding gear. I would pull the transmission so you can clean it good. You need to find all the metal parts that are loose and get them out of there.