Why does every damn vette...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 137
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Why does every damn vette...
Every C3 that I have owned grinds when going into reverse. Not all the time but enough to annoy the heck out of me. Any guidance as to how I can rectify this permanately?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
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From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
Re: Why does every damn vette... (mulchie)
I always put the tranny in first before going into reverse, and make sure my clutch is adjusted properly and push it all the way to the floor. Other than that, they might be yelling to you to grind me a pound too ... :D :D :D
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Why does every damn vette... (The Wanderer)
No problem with my TH-350 :lol: :lol: :lol:
I know, "shut up smart a ss".
I know, "shut up smart a ss".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 137
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Re: Why does every damn vette... (BSeery)
Sometimes I wish I had a TH. Especially when I hear my wife grind 'em in the garage. What a horrible sound. It has to be something with the synchro- whatevers.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Why does every damn vette... (mulchie)
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor for a few seconds prior to shifting into reverse. This allows the reciprocating mass (pilot shaft/clutch plate) to slow some for easier shifts. A non-properly adjusted clutch (dragging clutch plate) will not allow the pilot shaft to slow enough to allow for easy shifts.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: North Olmsted Oh
Re: Why does every damn vette... (mulchie)
I must admit you're pretty daring starting your car without keeping the clutch to the floor. Otherwise, the clutch should not engage and the tranny shouldn't start spinning to cause the grind.
The reverse gear is not synchronized. I'd just take The Wanderer's advice and put it in first before reverse. Works for me every time, except when I forget and then it makes that terrible grinding noise. :crazy:
The reverse gear is not synchronized. I'd just take The Wanderer's advice and put it in first before reverse. Works for me every time, except when I forget and then it makes that terrible grinding noise. :crazy:
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,329
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Re: Why does every damn vette... (vette68)
1st? No need to....any gear will do. I actually use my fifth gear lol....yeah yeah I know you guys don't have one...but anyway use the one closest to the reverse and it'll become a habit after a while....its always good on any tranny anyway.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Why does every damn vette... (mulchie)
Very embarassing when you pull into an ice cream shop with all the onlookers outside. You try to back into a spot and all they hear is the grinding and they slowly look the other way:(
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,080
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From: Frankfurt, Taunus Hills
Re: Why does every damn vette... (vette68)
Depressing the clutch pedal full way and shifting into 1st Gear before going to reverse helps the most.
The Synchro-Rings are then more able to sort the gears together.
Sounds like a tranny-rebuild is around the corner??? :eek: :cry :mad
The Synchro-Rings are then more able to sort the gears together.
Sounds like a tranny-rebuild is around the corner??? :eek: :cry :mad
Pro
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 749
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From: Gabriola BC
Re: Why does every damn vette... (jerryp58)
From the 77 GM manual on the topic of clutch spin down--run the engine at normal idle speed in neutral and the clutch engaged ( pedal out ) disengage clutch ( pedal in ) and wait 9 seconds and then attempt to put in reverse. It should not grind. Any grinding before 9 seconds would not indicate any problem. Any grinding after 9 seconds would indicate clutch drag. The reason it doesn't happen if you have just put it in a forward gear and then to reverse before 9 seconds is that the engagement of a forward gear has stopped the cluster shaft or for the picky guys the counter shaft. The moral of the story is don't just go from neutral to reverse without giving some time for the shaft to stop ( like 9 seconds or better )
bob
bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Why does every damn vette... (bob)
If I start mine in neutral, it will grind going to reverse unless I first put it in first (never tried another gear, first is closest). If I start it in 1st, I don't have a problem. But if you've read all the posts before mine, you'll already know why. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Charles Town WV
Re: Why does every damn vette...
The reason behind shifting into first is that the reverse idler gear is connected to the same gear on the countergear that first gear is connected to. This effectively sychronizes Reverse. Doing this in any other gear will not work the same way, but will aid in slowing down the gear rotation, so it will work a little bit. Personally I just wait for the gears to spin down. If you still grind after holding the clutch in for a few seconds you need to adjust your clutch. This is done by adjusting the linkage towards the firewall on the car until you have between 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch play in the clutch pedal.
As the clutch wears the springs on the pressure plate will come out and eventually touch the throwout bearing if left unchecked. If no adjustments are made they will keep coming out as the disc wears down and eventually build up pressure on the throwout bearing, causing a bunch of slippage and will not allow full disenagement. If this is left like this it will cause premature clutch and throwout bearing wear. It will also cause grinding into reverse even if the clutch is depressed for a while.
Adjust your clutch. Nothing bad can come from it.
As the clutch wears the springs on the pressure plate will come out and eventually touch the throwout bearing if left unchecked. If no adjustments are made they will keep coming out as the disc wears down and eventually build up pressure on the throwout bearing, causing a bunch of slippage and will not allow full disenagement. If this is left like this it will cause premature clutch and throwout bearing wear. It will also cause grinding into reverse even if the clutch is depressed for a while.
Adjust your clutch. Nothing bad can come from it.
Pro
Joined: May 1999
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From: Gabriola BC
Re: Why does every damn vette... (Steve Straus)
The bit about it only being 1st gear just is not so. The counter gear is a solid gear and engaging any forward gear will stop the counter gear which will stop the reverse idler gear.
bob
bob