Stick shifter vibration
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Stick shifter vibration
I have a 1970 L46 4 speed manual tran Corvette. When I run through the gears and at 3000 to 3500 rpm's I am experiencing vibration in the stick shifter. The vibration is also noticeable when cruising at around 65 to 70 mph. I would appreciate any information you could provide me on what is causing this issue and how to fix it. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,110
Likes: 9,424
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Is the vibration there if you push the clutch pedal in? Is it speed related or RPM related with no diffreance as to what gear your in?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Could be the pilot bearing. Did you have new U joints installed on the drive shaft? I had a 72 LT1 that developed a vibration after I changed the U joints. Upon investigation, I discovered that the joint to the rear end I had installed with the grease fitting facing the pinion. This allowed the casing hump to touch the pinion shaft every revolution. Just lucked out finding that issue.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
My 70 had a small buzz/rattle at about 3000 RPM's and above
I bought a shifter rebuild kit, which cost about $50. The link below is the instructions for installing the complete kit.
1964-1981 Corvette 4-Speed Shifter Rebuild
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...ifter-rebuild/
I actually only installed the new T-handle and spring and it cured 90% of the problem. I'll finish the project when I get more time and I'm guessing it will fix the remaining buzz problem.
There is also a cheat/bubba fix you can use for the time being which is simple, cheap, takes about 2 minutes to install and works surprisingly well.
Unscrew the shift ball and pull off the spring and T-handle. Then get a small O-ring that fits snugly on the "step" on the lever below the T-handle seating area, then re-install the T-handle, spring, and ball. The O-ring will stop much of the vertical buzz between the bottom of the T-handle barrel and the "step" on the lever. It's well worth the 15 cent O-ring.
I bought a shifter rebuild kit, which cost about $50. The link below is the instructions for installing the complete kit.
1964-1981 Corvette 4-Speed Shifter Rebuild
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...ifter-rebuild/
I actually only installed the new T-handle and spring and it cured 90% of the problem. I'll finish the project when I get more time and I'm guessing it will fix the remaining buzz problem.
There is also a cheat/bubba fix you can use for the time being which is simple, cheap, takes about 2 minutes to install and works surprisingly well.
Unscrew the shift ball and pull off the spring and T-handle. Then get a small O-ring that fits snugly on the "step" on the lever below the T-handle seating area, then re-install the T-handle, spring, and ball. The O-ring will stop much of the vertical buzz between the bottom of the T-handle barrel and the "step" on the lever. It's well worth the 15 cent O-ring.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 7
From: Allen TEXAS
Hi guys. While you are pondering this vibration issue, I would like to jump in with my problem also.
I have a newly acquired 1970 L46 convertible, that is having vibration issues at the mid range revs (3,000 - 3,500) and on up. It does not matter if you are stopped in neutral or rolling at 60 -70. Push on the gas, and you get vibration through the seat, and up through the stick..
I got past a timing challenge at idle, but still not sure if it is missing later as the revs go up.
Thoughts are welcomed.
Bill
I have a newly acquired 1970 L46 convertible, that is having vibration issues at the mid range revs (3,000 - 3,500) and on up. It does not matter if you are stopped in neutral or rolling at 60 -70. Push on the gas, and you get vibration through the seat, and up through the stick..
I got past a timing challenge at idle, but still not sure if it is missing later as the revs go up.
Thoughts are welcomed.
Bill
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
I had this issue in the past with a ‘67 Camaro also a Muncie. The car was run at the strip a few times and vibration as you describe. Ended up being a sprin/tweaked input yoke on the rearend. The problem could be virtually anywhere in the drivetrain. Replaced the front yoke and problem solved. Obviously it did not vibrate at a standstill.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
original 4 speed corvette shifter mounts to the frame, not the transmission, this should eliminate most driveline vibration.
(aftermarket / Hurst) mount to the transmission, much more prone to transmitting drive-line vibration.
(aftermarket / Hurst) mount to the transmission, much more prone to transmitting drive-line vibration.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
original 4 speed corvette shifter mounts to the frame, not the transmission, this should eliminate most driveline vibration.
(aftermarket / Hurst) mount to the transmission, much more prone to transmitting drive-line vibration.
(aftermarket / Hurst) mount to the transmission, much more prone to transmitting drive-line vibration.
Dom