Anyone having this problem? When Im into the throttle and I go to shift from 1st to 2nd gear, it is hreally hard to get it into gear. I actually have to pull as hard as I can and it goes in but it grinds real loud. Are there any adjustments or anything that may be able to correct this problem?

 

We need some more information. What year is your car? It sounds like you are talking about a manual transmission but we can't be sure.

I am going to guess you have a later model C4 with a 6 speed. If that's the case, I would check the clutch fluid level. It's a small reservoir near the brake master cylinder, and depending on the year of your car might be kind of hidden underneath the computer.

Yanking on the shifter as hard as you can to get it to shift will ruin the syncro's in the transmission. The 6 speed in our cars is specific to our cars, and was never used in anything else. Because of that, having work done to repair the syncros is very expensive, the parts are also Corvette specific which adds to the cost considerably. If the 1-2 shift is the only area you are having a problem with, I would probably avoid that shift for the time being, just go from 1-3 instead of 1-2 for awhile. Ruining transmission components is expensive, and until you figure out the shifting issue, trying to minimize internal damage would be your best bet.

There is no adjustment on the later model C4's, the system is hydraulic. The stock components are pretty notorious for failing, and that's my guess as to what your problem is.

Let us know what year of car you have, and if the clutch fluid reservoir is dry. We should be able to help you some more from there.

 

Sorry...Its in my sig but ill give you a run down. 1988 4+3

 

the slave cylinder is full and the clutch is fairly new. The car also has 100K miles on it. Do these gearboxes wear out?

 

It sounds as if the syncro's might be worn on the 1-2.

 

Okay, but is the MASTER cylinder reservoir full???
Yes, of course gearboxes wear out. Everything wears out......eventually.

If the hydraulics are good, then I'd go with what the others said: bad syncros.
Does it grind going into second?...or just "hang up"??

Larry
code5coupe

 

this may be a stupid question but what does the MASTER cylinder have to do with thew clutch? I also understand that everything wears out. my question is based on 100K on the clock, is it typical for a gearbox to wear out with that particular amount of mileage on it?

 

It hangs up when putting it in to second when at full throttle. It grinds when I FORCE it into 2nd. I remember I had a T10 in a 79 Z28 and although it was not the smoothest transmission, it was somewhat difficult to get it into second (and third for that matter). I do not, however, remember it being this difficult. That is why I am asking this question. I have heard of air bubbles getting into the hydraulics but how do I determine if this is the case? Is there a fairly easy way to determine if the syncros are bad? Sorry about all the stupid questions but I just want some opinions before I start tearing this thing apart this winter.

 

There is a master cylinder in the clutch system as well as the braking system. We are discussing the master cylinder in the clutch system.

The clutch master cylinder is what the clutch pedal attaches to and is mounted on the firewall. That's probably what you meant when you said the slave cylinder was full, a lot of people confuse the terminology between the 2 cylinders. The slave should be down on the transmission, or possibly inside the transmission (I'm not familiar enough with the 4+3 to know). As far as I know checking the fluid level in the slave is basically impossible, so I am fairly certain when you said the slave cylinder was full, you actually checked the master.

If the only gear swap you are having problems with is the 1-2 then there is most likely a syncro problem. At 100K on the trans, it wouldn't be uncommon. It is also possible that your clutch foot/shift hand timing is out of whack a little. Try pushing the clutch all the way to the floor and then shifting, as opposed to really trying to crack off a quick upshift. If the trans shifts smoothly then, you either have some ailing hydraulics or you need to change your shifting habits a little.

Good luck!

 

I appreciate the help fellas

 

Mine does the same thing. At part throttle, everything is fine but under full throttle it will refuse to go into 2nd. And yes, I do push the clutch in all the way, (have also tried double clutching).

I was wondering if it might be caused by a transmission/shifter misalignment due to the torque twisting the engine and tranny away slightly from the shifter/rod assembley.

Imtrumpeter

 

If you let off the gas completely and press the clutch in, then engine should almost instantly return to its resting position. Maybe try that and see if it makes a difference.