Very bad Grinding sound going into reverse....
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 64
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From: los angeles california
Very bad Grinding sound going into reverse....
Hey, i havent been around for a while cause i moved down to santa barbara for college. anyways ill get to the point. i have a 4 speed 76 vette. and when i am putting the car into reverse there is a terrible grinding sound which i can only imagine is the clutch. its already pretty rough to shift through the other gears but only on reverse does it make that sound, (i turn the car off before i put it into reverse so i dont have to get embarassed by people thinking i cant drive a stick). Is this is a common "ur clutch is gone" problem? get back to me
thanks, alex
thanks, alex
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
It sounds like the clutch isn't fully disengaging.
It could just be a problem with the adjustment of the linkage for the clutch or possibly a problem with the pressure plate itself.
Reverse is a straight cut gear and if it is still spinning it will make a grinding noise.
Stiff shifting in the forward gears is caused by the same problem.
If you continue to drive it like that you can screw things up in the transmission.
Try the clutch linkage adjustment first. Just remember you need "some" free play in the linkage.
It could just be a problem with the adjustment of the linkage for the clutch or possibly a problem with the pressure plate itself.
Reverse is a straight cut gear and if it is still spinning it will make a grinding noise.
Stiff shifting in the forward gears is caused by the same problem.
If you continue to drive it like that you can screw things up in the transmission.
Try the clutch linkage adjustment first. Just remember you need "some" free play in the linkage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Sounds like you may need to adjust the clutch free-play. The clutch may not be releasing. About 1 inch free-play is ok. This adjustment is done on the rod coming out of the fire-wall next to the steering column.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
If you are moving at all when trying to put it into reverse you will get grinding. I shift into first with the clutch out and come to a complete stop before going into reverse and that prevents any grinding. I had my transmission rebuilt and a new clutch installed about a year ago and it has always worked this way so I would say that my setup is still in good condition.
Regards,
Jay
Regards,
Jay
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Mooresville NC
I believe a general rule of thumb is after depressing the clutch, count 3-Mississippi's 
and put it into reverse. If the gears grind, then you need to start to looking if the clutch is not engaging all the way.
and put it into reverse. If the gears grind, then you need to start to looking if the clutch is not engaging all the way.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
That's correct. You should be able to depress the clutch fully and give it about 9 seconds. If it then grinds going into reverse, your clutch is not fully disengaging. You need to adjust the clutch for proper play. If this does not cure it, it may be time for a clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing replacement. As a note, if your clutch is not fully disengaging as indicated by the reverse grinding, you are causing a lot of wear on your synchros for the other gears. If you let it go, you'll be doing a tranny rebuild as well...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After coming to a complete stop, put the car in second gear, then into reverse. If that works, it's probably a synchro.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by lars
There is no synchro on reverse...
as long as the clutch is fully disengaged
it will not grind when going into reverse.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 87
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by fl_rider
By putting the trans into any of the forward gears you are stopping the rotation of the cluster gear and...
as long as the clutch is fully disengaged
it will not grind when going into reverse.
as long as the clutch is fully disengaged
it will not grind when going into reverse.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
If you read the owners manual, it tells you specifically that you should put the transmission into first prior to going into reverse. This will stop the grinding from the lack of synchro on reverse.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by sb69coupe
If you read the owners manual, it tells you specifically that you should put the transmission into first prior to going into reverse. This will stop the grinding from the lack of synchro on reverse.
there is the answer!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I had the same problem. While installing headers I removed the z-bar. Upon inspection I noticed that the plastic bushings inside the z-bar (the ball studs mate up to these bushings) were worn out so I replaced them. You can still purchase them at the Chevy dealer for about $2.00 each. I also replaced the ball stud that threads into the engine block (again purchased from the dealer for about $10.00). After reinstalling everything I was able to shift into reverse without any grinding. I'm able to shift at anytime into reverse with no noise and without shifting into 1st or 2nd gear first.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by tmoneymoney4
Hey, i havent been around for a while cause i moved down to santa barbara for college. anyways ill get to the point. i have a 4 speed 76 vette. and when i am putting the car into reverse there is a terrible grinding sound which i can only imagine is the clutch. its already pretty rough to shift through the other gears but only on reverse does it make that sound, (i turn the car off before i put it into reverse so i dont have to get embarassed by people thinking i cant drive a stick). Is this is a common "ur clutch is gone" problem? get back to me
thanks, alex
thanks, alex
This indicates that the clutch is NOT fully disengaging.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
First...get underneath the car and lubricate your shifter linkage. You will be amazed how this smooths out your regular gear shifting. Secondly, your reverse shift problem is common. When you stop, shift to first and then slowly into reverse. I use a little overkill with mine and shift between first and second a couple of times and it solves the problem. No worries... you are not ready for an overhaul yet. Happy shifting.
Last edited by Mark PittPayne; Sep 25, 2005 at 03:08 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by fl_rider
"its already pretty rough to shift through the other gears but only on reverse does it make that sound"
This indicates that the clutch is NOT fully disengaging.
This indicates that the clutch is NOT fully disengaging.
The Chrome muffler bearings are the best and when properly lubricated there is very little resonance.
A truck driver friend of mine told me that if I just "double clutched it" the noise would go away as well.
