Hi folks,

I have the classic AW70 shifter looseness and driveline movement. Tranny mount and shifter bushings are next on the list (after I get back from a trip next week). Why I bring this up is because I observed a scary sound from my transmission today, and this was the first time I was able to hear it without being in the car at the time.

I put the car in reverse, and I hear a chitter - it sounds remarkably like a transmission low or high on fluid, where too much/not enough throttle pressure is making the clutch plates rub together. I pull the e-brake, chock the wheels, and lay down beside the transmission... DEFINITELY coming from there.

When backing up, I sometimes also notice that it behaves like it is low on fluid - where I have to give it a little gas to build throttle pressure. Other times, just letting off the brake will pull me up a hill.

I can also put the transmission in '2' and I will cycle into 3rd and 4th gears when I get going fast enough.

Sometimes the transmission needs serious throttle pressure to shift successfully between 2-3 without making scraping noises.

OD solenoid works fine.

Anyway, I suspect that the shifter linkage is all hinky and not allowing the transmission to fully engage the gears sometimes. I would like to know how to fix this. I am ok with simply replacing the parts - I know what to do - but my larger concern is with the adjustment of the linkage once repaired. This car originally had a ZF transmission, and it was replaced after a radiator failure. The dealer up North did the replacement long ago, before I bought the car.

I have already examined the usual suspects, done a flush, checked the fluid levels, and all check out.

Thanks.

Ari