C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

shift linkage binding

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 02:40 PM
  #1  
SteelCitiesLT1's Avatar
SteelCitiesLT1
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown OH
Default shift linkage binding

For the last few days I could not downshift into second or first. Now the car is stuck in third gear. The only position the shifter will go into is the reverse position (feels like fourth gear) and nuetral (third). Any suggestoions on short-term and long-term fix?
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:38 PM
  #2  
adamdinat's Avatar
adamdinat
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Default Re: shift linkage binding (SteelCitiesLT1)

Looks like time to crawl under and take it apart.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:42 PM
  #3  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: shift linkage binding (SteelCitiesLT1)

Might check to see if you shift arm bolts came loose on the trans, after I yanked mine and cleaned it the bolts worked themselves loose and it stuck in gear because the shift arm was free floating on the seat.




[Modified by Fevre, 6:35 PM 4/29/2004]
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 06:16 PM
  #4  
burners's Avatar
burners
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: shift linkage binding (SteelCitiesLT1)

:iagree: It sounds like something is loose or misadjusted. You may want to get new spring clips and add washers under them. That will tighen things up. You can use the Hurst clips that are available at Autozone or a similar parts store.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 07:58 PM
  #5  
GDaina's Avatar
GDaina
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Default Re: shift linkage binding (SteelCitiesLT1)

simple adjustment...get the trans in neutral...just above the xhifter's arms is a hole, find a drill bit that will go inside that hole. This locks the arms into neutral. If your arms are out of adjustment, take them off the tranny and then insert the drill bit. Make the necessary adjustment by the the tranny's shift forks. When everything is in adjustment, you should be able to shift the tranny underneath without any effort....good luck
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 09:57 PM
  #6  
MGB's Avatar
MGB
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 8
From: Blythewood S.C.
St. Jude Donor '14
Default Re: shift linkage binding (SteelCitiesLT1)

GDaina, Can the adjustment you described be used on a '78/L82/4speed also. Think my shifter is worn quite a bit and it wants to hang up sometimes also. Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 10:32 PM
  #7  
Solid LT1's Avatar
Solid LT1
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Default Re: shift linkage binding (MGB)

The shift gates of the Corvette shifter are serviced and the internal shifter gates be purchased and installed. Get a copy of the GM Body service manual and do the troubleshoooting. There can be many causes to the problems you are describing but, most are easilly solved with help from the shop manual.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 10:53 PM
  #8  
GDaina's Avatar
GDaina
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Default Re: shift linkage binding (MGB)

It won't hurt to try, it will take longer to jack the car up and put stands under then make the adjustment...if it still fails after the adjustment, buy the rebuild kit, that includes new bushings.....all the major vendors carry shifter rebuild kits.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To shift linkage binding

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:56 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE