I had hoped to trade this car in this year, but have decided to stick with it a bit longer. While I love the car on the track, this thing is just downright annoying to drive every day and the build quality is pure garbage. But...fixing a few of these things would at least eliminate some of the annoyances.
Here are the things currently going on with the car, many of them common in the 86 cars.
Rattling/Creaking Rear Deck
Buzzing Passenger Side Door/Window Switch
Rattling Throwout Bearing
Drivetrain Slop/Clunk Every Time Going From Rev/For
DI Fuel Pump Chirping
Rattling Shifter Reverse Lockout at Mid/High RPM
Notchy Shifer In Cold Weather (2nd gear unusable until it warms up)
Rattling Door Speaker (could be same issue as Buzzing door/switch)
So...that's the list. I've scoured the forum for fixes and think I can at least eliminate the rattling junk. I've bought some white lithium grease spray to use on the rear deck plates per the TSB. Going to spray the easy trunk part tonight and hope I don't have to tear apart the rear deck this weekend. I simply can't stand this rattle any more! I'll also grease the seat latches just in case.
I'm curious what you guys are doing to try and determine what exactly is buzzing in the door panels? I see a lot of results had to do with the window switch. I stuffed a business card in there (jammed it in) and it was still buzzing. Sounded like it maybe muted it a bit? But it was still there. Any suggestions on this issue before I tear apart the panel and the switch assembly?
Drivetrain slop. Every time I put the car in reverse to back out of a parking spot or my driveway...clunk. Has anyone done anything to get rid of this? I have a Perrin shifter bushing and trans bushing, but never installed them. Wasn't really looking forward to more NVH considering all the noises already going on with stock everything. Any thoughts on something I could do to eliminate the play and get rid of this clunking?
What's the best method to fix the buzzing reverse lockout assembly on the shifter beyond replacing it with an aftermarket unit? I saw people wrapping it in teflon tape, and I may do that. Unless there is a better (less ghetto) way?
The other issues I'm telling myself I just have to live with. The gearbox in this car is junk, as I've tried OEM, Amsoil, and Motul 300 fluids and everything in weather below 65 and a cold start is abysmal. It's notchy, and 2nd gear is near unuseable unless I want to jam it in. It's even grinding 2nd a portion of the time. I'd rather not take it to the dealer, so unless the DI Fuel Pump actually causes a PROBLEM...I'm ignoring that noise. Throwout bearing started making noise at 30k miles, I'm at 45k miles now and will continue to ignore this also. I highly doubt it could be covered under warranty.
Done venting. Would appreciate any advice on anything in the list. Thanks!
