joebozina

Just to let folks know...

I had the dreaded tranny side chirping develop over the course of the past few weeks - we had a cold spell up here in my neck of the woods and after the weather warmed up a tad I really noticed a continual chirping - it used to only happen when the engine was cold in my 03 sable w/71,000 miles on it...

Anyhow, Advance Auto had the Dorman #689-107 near me - it cost $70.00 which is a few squid more than what you can find online but I bought it yesterday and changed it within a couple of hours. The Synchronizer came with a new sensor and an alignment tool. If you have ever pulled and replaced a distributor - this is just as easy if not easier.

Be careful to mark the outer housing after removing the sensor so that it lines up close w/the block after pulling the original and replacing the new one. I also jacked up the passenger side of the car under the engine cradle to let the wheel hang, pried open the wheel-well shroud with a hunk of 2x4 and cranked the engine by hand till the alignment tool dropped into the synchronizer while it was still in the block (note - for this 2 people may be required as I'd imagine you could easily shear the alignment tool which is plastic if you just laid the tool on the synchro while cranking by hand).

You may also want to consider removing the plate that holds the accelerator and transmission kickdown linkage as well ast the intake box cover and flexible snorkle. There were also a few electical connectors on sensors that I moved out f the way as well as 3 spark plug wires. Also - someone else mentioned that you kind of have to cut away the piece of plastic that houses the wiring running over the sensor & under the intake manifold & I concur that piece of plastic is a PIA - I cut mine w/a hacksaw blade and a drywall saw. Prior to installing I prelubed the synchronizer with some oil by squirting in some fresh oil into the little hole along the side of the synchronizer shaft and working the shaft around several times.

On a 1-10 scale of "difficulty" I'd rate this a 3.5 at best and am only scoring it that high cause that piece of plastic is a pain.