Is this normal?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Chino California
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
You could be mistaken about the tranny. Don't know if you have read about it, but C5's have notorious "rocking chairs" where the seat will actually rock on the seat rails when you accelerate or slow down (also at the same time as you shift).
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Racer
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From: Honolulu HI
But what if it is the trans. Is it normal?
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Haven't noticed mine having any kind of rocking motion when I shift the gears. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
It could be it's the shifter mechanism that's loosened up. Some cars have rubber (are yours?) mounting bushings that deteriorate over time. The bolts that secure the shifter can also loosen up.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 11, 2007 at 03:00 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Just in case you've never actually looked at your shifter mechanism, look at the images below. They are of an after market shifter, but the mounting is the same. Your oem shifter will have a one piece lever encased in rubber for vibration/noise reduction. This after market shifter has a two piece lever encased in a nylon bearing for more precise feel. It also has gear stops which an oem shifter does not have (nor really need).
The images here show solid Z06 type bushings, whereas some shifters use rubber bushings. You can also see the four 1/4-20 bolts that secure the shifter to the box as well as the two larger bolt holes that secure the box above the torque tube. Both of the bolt arrangements can loosen and cause erratic shifting symptoms...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1835442
The images here show solid Z06 type bushings, whereas some shifters use rubber bushings. You can also see the four 1/4-20 bolts that secure the shifter to the box as well as the two larger bolt holes that secure the box above the torque tube. Both of the bolt arrangements can loosen and cause erratic shifting symptoms...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1835442
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 11, 2007 at 03:01 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
If it's just something that's loosened up, then no it isn't "serious", but it will be annoying and you might eventually notice an inability to shift into certain gears.
Accessing the shifter requires removal of the radio surround bezel, ashtray, small plastic snap in pieces on the dash and in the consol, disconnecting some electrical connections. You'll need an assortment of SAE and metric tools. You can find many complete write ups with images by search in the C5 Tech forum...use keywords "shorty shifter" or "removing shifter" or similar.
If the bushings have deteriorated, then you can buy replacement rubber or solid bushings from your favorite island dealership or Gene at GMPARTSHOUSE, a site supporting vendor.
If your car originally has rubber bushings and you convert to solid bushings, you might notice some vibrations/noise from your shifter, ala Z06 which had solid bushings from the factory.
If the problem is something more "serious", then you might need to seek a professional shop for their assistance. You didn't describe any other current shifting issues, so hopefully it's just a simple R&R with some tightening and/or replacement of the bushings.
Accessing the shifter requires removal of the radio surround bezel, ashtray, small plastic snap in pieces on the dash and in the consol, disconnecting some electrical connections. You'll need an assortment of SAE and metric tools. You can find many complete write ups with images by search in the C5 Tech forum...use keywords "shorty shifter" or "removing shifter" or similar.
If the bushings have deteriorated, then you can buy replacement rubber or solid bushings from your favorite island dealership or Gene at GMPARTSHOUSE, a site supporting vendor.
If your car originally has rubber bushings and you convert to solid bushings, you might notice some vibrations/noise from your shifter, ala Z06 which had solid bushings from the factory.
If the problem is something more "serious", then you might need to seek a professional shop for their assistance. You didn't describe any other current shifting issues, so hopefully it's just a simple R&R with some tightening and/or replacement of the bushings.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Here's two good write ups with full description and images regarding a shifter installation. You'll have to go through the same process...
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 11, 2007 at 04:12 PM.