Hello,

My '88 Ply Horizon 2.2 L 5-speed (160 K mileage) has been a very
dependable car since it was new.  About a month ago, the clutch
suddenly became hard to depress and dragged when shifting gears.  I
took it to the mechanic who's worked on it over the years, and he
replaced the clutch and flywheel.  I think he said the flywheel had
caused the problem.  The original clutch was replaced two years ago.
I've missed maybe three shifts in 18 years, if that matters, and keep
the car in good mechanical shape.  While it was in for the clutch, it
had a LOF, new plugs and battery cables, but I honestly forgot to tell
him that lately there had been a slight rubbing sound when turning the
wheel sharply to the left.  Anyway, when I got it back it was rubbing
much worse and without having to turn the wheel as far left.  Also, I
began having trouble getting it into second gear, from first, and when
out on the highway, I couldn't get it into 5th gear most of the time.
So I made it over to my mechanic and he took it out for a test.  He
came back and put it up on the lift for about ten minutes, and then
said it was okay.. that he'd adjusted it.  He said the rubbing was a CV
boot or something, and it was alright to drive.. if it worsened, he
said to bring it in and he'd get a kit ("cheap") and fix it.  Later
that day, when shifting from 1st down to 2nd, the shifter felt like it
was in a bowl of pudding, going around in circles, and wouldn't go into
2nd half the time, leaving me stuck in first in traffic, floundering to
get it into another gear.  I made it back to my mechanic and left the
car ( it was closed by then) with a note describing what had happened
and asking him to do what it needed to fix it right.  After not hearing
from him for almost a week, I called and he said the car was
"driveable" -- in case I needed it and wanted to pick it up and bring
it back (?!), he said.. that he'd done a few things to it and was
waiting for some parts to arrive and that it would be done last Friday
(three days later).  I paid over $800. for the repairs so far, and I
think that the shifter problem is a result of whatever happened during
the clutch job (?).  Anyway, I'm going to call him tomorrow and
hopefully get the car back, fixed properly, and at not too much
additional cost.  My concern is that, although this mechanic is a nice
guy, very helpful even before this car, and pretty straightforward, I
have the feeling that I'm in for trouble this time.  I think possibly
he figures he's patched it up sufficiently that it won't be a problem
and hopes I'll be satisfied -- and won't bring it back, and he won't
have to charge me any more for the same problem.. maybe one he caused.
Does anyone have any insight or comment on what's going on with this?
I know next to nothing about mechanics, but I did change the oil and
filter myself every 3,000 miles or so, I drive it as if it's a
priceless classic, and the engine in this car still runs like it did
the day I paid $6,018. and drove it out of the showroom.  It's the
perfect car for the city, two children grew up in it, it looks like
hell, I'm attached to it and I'd love to see it make it to 200 K miles
and maybe more.  It'll take a lot for me to give up on it.

thanks..