Hi folks, well for the second time in as many months my ZX3 is in the shop for a transmission problem. Its making a rattling sound at idle. They told me they think they know what it is this time. Last time they changed the throw out bearing in the clutch area. I'll keep you posted as to the results.

oh boy...I'm sorry about that...keep us posted on what happens.<br>Remember, you do have the right to have a different Ford dealer garage look that car over. You don't have to go to your dealer. Maybe you can get some ideas from other places about service in your area.<br>Unfortunately Ford is known for it's trans problems. Not an unusual thing. So are Dodge.<br>Hang in there...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!<br><br>Best<br>~Chelly

Just wondering...Is your ZX a automatic or the 5 speed....

Hey zee...did you get a chance to read this article I posted on a few other club sites?<br><br>When you get your new tranny, have a peek at this...<br>Automotive news: Transmissions need respect too<br><br>By Les Jackson, Tribune Media Services contributor<br><br>Copyright ? 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.<br><br>I've made my opinion known before regarding manual vs. automatic transmissions. For the record, I believe stick shifts belong only on high-performance cars and on cars driven either on tracks or twisty roads. They don?t belong in traffic. Automatics are superior in that regard. <br><br>Proper use of both types of transmissions requires some basic knowledge on the part of their owners, however, and I find that knowledge pitifully lacking in most drivers. So, at the risk of considerable negative feedback, below are a few guidelines on how to maximize the life of your transmission. <br><br>Drivers of standard-shift transmissions, by and large, don?t have the slightest idea how they operate. Consequently, two components of standard transmissions ? the clutch and the synchronizers ? are routinely abused by their users, resulting in costly repairs. The clutch consists of three components: the clutch disc (plate), pressure plate and throwout bearing. <br><br>The clutch disc is a metal disc covered with friction material on both sides. It is sandwiched against the engine?s flywheel by the pressure plate, a device which exerts hundreds of pounds of spring pressure against the clutch plate. When you push down on your clutch pedal you press the throwout bearing against the pressure plate, releasing the spring pressure, allowing the clutch disc to spin free from the engine. The throwout bearing has to absorb all that spring pressure while the clutch pedal is depressed. <br><br>Holding down the clutch pedal while at stop lights (which nearly everyone I?ve ever observed does) causes the throwout bearing to overheat, resulting in premature wear and failure. It also stresses the pressure plate and causes friction on the clutch disc. Therefore, shifting into neutral and letting the clutch pedal out while stopped will lengthen the life of your clutch by at least 20,000 miles, saving you money and aggravation. <br><br>The second thing drivers do wrong in cars with standard transmissions is to slow down by downshifting. This will slow down the car but doing so puts tremendous strain on the synchronizer rings (bronze rings in the transmission that rub against the gear to slow down its spinning). Properly used, synchronizer rings will last the life of the car but routinely slowing the car by downshifting will wear them out in 30,000 miles or so. Slow down the car with the brakes. They are designed to do the job very well and brake linings are far, far cheaper than transmission rebuilds. <br><br>Whatever you prefer to drive, please drive it correctly. It will save you money.