ZF parts source-Anyone know?
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
ZF parts source-Anyone know?
Would like to get the synchros (90) replaced eventually....Im well aware that ZF Doc does this but dont have huge $$ to do it. There has to be a source for these parts, maybe the collective thoughts of C4 Gen can rustle up some info. Its just a tranny, cant be all that bad, right?
I know I could buy a replacement trans, but I like the gear whine from my black tagger.
I know I could buy a replacement trans, but I like the gear whine from my black tagger.
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From: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Would like to get the synchros (90) replaced eventually....Im well aware that ZF Doc does this but dont have huge $$ to do it. There has to be a source for these parts, maybe the collective thoughts of C4 Gen can rustle up some info. Its just a tranny, cant be all that bad, right?
I know I could buy a replacement trans, but I like the gear whine from my black tagger.
I know I could buy a replacement trans, but I like the gear whine from my black tagger.
ZF will only sell the parts in huge quantities, so it is expensive. How about contacting Kurt White once he is back from his honeymoon?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Phoenix AZ
I was at Bills place just before I flew up to Boston to ask about getting some rebuilt clutch hydraulic parts and in passing he mentioned that ZF syncors are getting very hard to find again. He talked to ZF about it and they said they are going to do another run of them, have to completely re-tool an assembly line for it they are not going to be cheap... This happened a couple years ago as well!
Team Owner
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From: San Pedro CA
remember - the ZR1 tranny has a different input shaft over the LT1/L98 ZFs.
Contact zf doc... I think his prices have come down since ZF removed the ban on rebuilds.
Also, I think Richmond is a parts supplier...
however, I must warn you, are you SURE you want to tear into one of these boxes? They scare me... I read the article in Corvette Fever a couple years back... heating shafts, freezing gears, little springs and ball detent thingys, special gigs... no thanks.
Contact zf doc... I think his prices have come down since ZF removed the ban on rebuilds.
Also, I think Richmond is a parts supplier...
however, I must warn you, are you SURE you want to tear into one of these boxes? They scare me... I read the article in Corvette Fever a couple years back... heating shafts, freezing gears, little springs and ball detent thingys, special gigs... no thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,681
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Quick suggestion.
If you are running the castrol bmw stuff, try switching back to the proper GM pn factory fill.
This cured my syncho problems (grinded gears on upshifts, esp under hard acceleration)
If you are running the castrol bmw stuff, try switching back to the proper GM pn factory fill.
This cured my syncho problems (grinded gears on upshifts, esp under hard acceleration)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
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From: ontario Ontario
Rockland standard gear makes the stuff and supplies but they are not cheap!! You would be better off buying a brand new one!
http://www.rsgear.com/
http://www.rsgear.com/
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I'm sure you know what you're up against so if you're willing to do it, go for it. I rebuilt a ZF trans. in a mid '90s Ford Super Duty truck a few years back and had none of the many special tools called out for in the manual. Yeah it was a PITA but nothing insurmountable. It's just a transmission. It was either a 5 or 6 speed, I really can't remember now but looked very similar in design to any other ZF I've seen. I've got a Vette one here at the house that I'm going to tear into when I get time. It's stuck in reverse I believe it's owner said. He's already replaced it so I'm just going to fix it so he can sell it.
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Thanks for the info (rsgear), Ill look into it. Someone I know may tear into it if can get parts.....I wouldnt personally tackle it myself, did one M-22 years ago that turned out well, the other one I wound up taking to a tranny shop in a 5 gallon bucket. 
Trans is still in good shape, but Im thinking this winter would be a good time to yank it and freshen it up, Im pretty picky about how they work.
Im sure there is plenty to know about the ZF trans, but its just parts in a case-If it can be assembled, it can be disassembled and back without financing your first born-I hope!
Trans is still in good shape, but Im thinking this winter would be a good time to yank it and freshen it up, Im pretty picky about how they work.
Im sure there is plenty to know about the ZF trans, but its just parts in a case-If it can be assembled, it can be disassembled and back without financing your first born-I hope!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I'm sure you know what you're up against so if you're willing to do it, go for it. I rebuilt a ZF trans. in a mid '90s Ford Super Duty truck a few years back and had none of the many special tools called out for in the manual. Yeah it was a PITA but nothing insurmountable. It's just a transmission. It was either a 5 or 6 speed, I really can't remember now but looked very similar in design to any other ZF I've seen. I've got a Vette one here at the house that I'm going to tear into when I get time. It's stuck in reverse I believe it's owner said. He's already replaced it so I'm just going to fix it so he can sell it.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Zix
The ZF-S50 or S60 (I forget which one is the common truck tranny) has completely different internals) than the ZF-S40
I'm not one of those who's ever been impressed with German engineering from a mechanics point of view. Yes, some of it works well but they seem to delight in going out of their way to find the most difficult way to accomplish anything. No wonder we kicked their asses twice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Sometimes I think they do engineering for engineering's sake..."lets see how complicated we can make this?" I think they need some good cost control accountants.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I realize it's not the same tranny. But it's still got the same, over-complicated PITA German engineering. I'm not one of those who's ever been impressed with German engineering from a mechanics point of view. Yes, some of it works well but they seem to delight in going out of their way to find the most difficult way to accomplish anything. No wonder we kicked their asses twice.
I'm not one of those who's ever been impressed with German engineering from a mechanics point of view. Yes, some of it works well but they seem to delight in going out of their way to find the most difficult way to accomplish anything. No wonder we kicked their asses twice.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Jun 7, 2006 at 03:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
A basic going through by ZFDoc (talked to him this morning) starts at $2400, this is for new synchros and a rebuild kit. New gears, +$700 
for each one, etc etc. Very helpful guy, like his mod to the stock shifter that retains the reverse lockout feature.
for each one, etc etc. Very helpful guy, like his mod to the stock shifter that retains the reverse lockout feature.
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Thanks for the info (rsgear), Ill look into it. Someone I know may tear into it if can get parts.....I wouldnt personally tackle it myself, did one M-22 years ago that turned out well, the other one I wound up taking to a tranny shop in a 5 gallon bucket.
Trans is still in good shape, but Im thinking this winter would be a good time to yank it and freshen it up, Im pretty picky about how they work.
Im sure there is plenty to know about the ZF trans, but its just parts in a case-If it can be assembled, it can be disassembled and back without financing your first born-I hope!
Trans is still in good shape, but Im thinking this winter would be a good time to yank it and freshen it up, Im pretty picky about how they work.
Im sure there is plenty to know about the ZF trans, but its just parts in a case-If it can be assembled, it can be disassembled and back without financing your first born-I hope!
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by bogus
the ZF6 in the vette requires one to support the gear shafts.