I bought my '02 Z06 about 3 months ago and its been great so far. However, a couple of problems are coming up. If I don't hold the stick in when going in reverse, the car will pop out of gear and that annoying gear grinding sound will begin. It works fine when I hold it in. I had the same problem with my mustang, so I don't know if it's a normal thing or what. Also, sometimes when I stop at a light or stop sign, I can't get the car into first gear. I'll have to try to push it in, step on the gas a little until something in the trans(?) moves, and then I'll be able to get into first.

Do these problems sound familiar? Is it going to be to technical for a newbie like myself to figure out how to fix? How much do you think this is going to cost?

Thanks!
Chad

 

From a cold start, I always have to put mine in 1st before it will go solidly into reverse... are you doing that and, if not, it might clear the problem up.

 

The early Z06's had aluminum shift forks and they were notorious for bending out of place, I bet this is your problem. The 03 & 04 Z's have metal shift forks, just change the shift fork out to metal ones and I think you will be OK

 

Need some clarification. Since when is aluminum not a metal? What metal are the newer forks made from?
Bill

 

What he said was true. The earlier tranny's had alum. shift forks and were very prone to bending. The newer upgraded forks are steel.
I'd bet you've got either a bent shift fork or your synchros are going.

If it were me; I'd try the shifting to first trick and see if that helps.
Mine is very finicky and I almost always have to shift to 2nd before it will go into reverse. But, miine has never popped out.

 

Would a reverse shifting fork and synchros be something I'd want to try to fix myself? I have a buddy who knows his way around cars, but I have pretty limited experience. I want to learn all I can, but I want to make sure I don't get in over my head on the first job.

 

Change the fluid, It will help

 

I consider myself quite mechanically incliined but, this is not a job I would tackle myself. Siimply for the fear of not getting it right the first time and having the rip it all out again for a second repair. Pulling the tranny on these cars is not a 1 hour job. If it was, I would certainly attempt the repair myself.

If you've got a good manual, the space, a lift, and the time to spend possibly on a redo; then by all means do the job yourself. You will learn alot about your car in the process.

 

Take a deep breath before assuming that something is seriously wrong with your tranny, especially if you have an aftermarket shifter. Do a search for adjusting the shifter. It can make a huge difference, and is relatively simple to do (easier than changing the oil).

There's a good posibility that you're not getting full engagement while in the "normal" reverse mode. Note that there are no synchro's to be worn in reverse, and that the shift forks that bend are ususally the 1-2 and 3-4 forks because of power shifts. Unless someone really leaned on the shifter when in reverse, it's fine. Look a little harder for another option before considering taking the car apart.

 

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What he said. I agree. Mine is an 02 Z06 and it doesn't like Reverse first thing in the morning. If I park it in 1st then I have to let the clutch out and let it roll forward a hair. Then it goes in to Reverse. If I park it in Reverse it is fine. Probably needs a tiny adjustment to fix it but I've been too lazy since it is just a minor annoyance.

 

That used to happen to my Z every so often, But It stopped completely when I Installed my Hurst Shifter.

 

Change the trans fluid before you loose any more sleep. If that doesn't fix it check the adjustment on the shifter. I have seen a few threads here where guys switch to synthetic fluid or some other "trick" trans fluid and have a hard time shifting afterwards. I agree that you don't have bent shift forks or bad synchros causing the reverse problem. The only good explanations for popping out in reverse and trouble going into first are as stated fluid or shifter adjustment. Rest easy, IMHO this is a cheap fix.

 

On both my 97 and my Z I would have to hold the shifter in reverse and let the clutch out just a little to let the gears mesh. Once that happened it would stay in reverse. Sometimes the gears are lined up and it goes right in but other times they clash and the tranny isn't really in reverse. That is when you get the grinding sound if you let the clutch out and aren't forcing the gears to mesh. Since I always park the car with the tranny in reverse and do not use the parking brake I have developed the habit of shoving on the shifter and letting the clutch out a little to ensure the car is in reverse just before shutting off the engine.
Bill

 

[QUOTE=Rifeman]I bought my '02 Z06 about 3 months ago and its been great so far. However, a couple of problems are coming up. If I don't hold the stick in when going in reverse, the car will pop out of gear and that annoying gear grinding sound will begin. It works fine when I hold it in. I had the same problem with my mustang, so I don't know if it's a normal thing or what. Also, sometimes when I stop at a light or stop sign, I can't get the car into first gear. I'll have to try to push it in, step on the gas a little until something in the trans(?) moves, and then I'll be able to get into first.

Rifleman - I would suggest that you also review all of the threads on the Forum concerning clutch and clutch cylinder problems. My 04 did about the same thing and the problem was in the clutch, such as fried!!! Stop at a light and you cannot get it into first. Feels like somthing in the tranny, but actually was the clutch. When cold, the tranny still spins because the clutch is not releasing. Installed a new clutch along with slave cylinder and master cylinder. I also am slowly bleeding and feeding synthetic DOT 4 fluid.

 

Rifeman,

I had exactly the same problem. Luckily the car was under warranty. It turned out that the synchrose for 5th and 6th gear was toast. This prevented it from engaging reverse and grinded everytime it went in. It basically needed the gear box to be rebuilt.

I'm no mechanic but know my way around trucks and heavy equipment. I definitely wouldn't tackle this myself. Like I said it was under warranty and fixed properly with a new warranty to boot.

Good luck!!!!

pm me if you need any more info.



Jay

 

To get the trans out, you have to drop the entire rear!
Try the above suggestions first. If this doesn't work, unless you have a lift & your friend has done these cars before, I'd suggest finding the nearest Corvette shop to you & letting the experts do it that do that type of work EVERYDAY!!

Ron