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[Z06] Transmission Issues

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Old Sep 15, 2012 | 04:51 AM
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Default Transmission Issues

Hey guys

2004 Z06, 38k miles.

During acceleration in 2nd or 3rd gear, the shifter shakes pretty bad in the 3000-4500 rpm range. After that, it's smooth as can be. I can also feel the floor boards shaking.

The trans is also rather "tough" to shift. It takes quite a bit of muscle to get in and out of gear, and reverse requires quite a push.

It's getting a trans fluid flush next week as well as an MGW shifter. Any other suggestions, ideas?

Thanks!
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Old Sep 15, 2012 | 08:07 AM
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If the shifter only shakes through that rpm range I would guess it could be a problem with the rubber driveshaft coupler. It may need replacement. My driveline has a minor vibration somewhere around the 3000 rpm range. From what I hear it is considered normal for c5z's and nothing to be concerned about. It's normal driveline resonance. Mine doesnt vibrate the shifter or rattle the car though. Have you changed the clutch hydraulic fluid at all? Try the "Ranger" method. All you do is use a syringe/turkey baster to suck out the old fluid from the clutch master cylinder (under hood next to brake) and refill. Drive it a while then do it again. Repeat several times. If that doesnt help and your clutch is still dragging it could need a new clutch. My stock clutch has the same number of miles on it and feels great. I doubt you would need one with such low miles unless its been drag raced hard. I have the MGW shifter, it's a huge improvement over stock, extremely precise. Flushing the trans could help too but I wouldn't think the fluid would be that bad with those miles.

Last edited by MY03C5Z; Sep 15, 2012 at 08:12 AM.
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Old Sep 15, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Old Sep 16, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by MY03C5Z
If the shifter only shakes through that rpm range I would guess it could be a problem with the rubber driveshaft coupler. It may need replacement. My driveline has a minor vibration somewhere around the 3000 rpm range. From what I hear it is considered normal for c5z's and nothing to be concerned about. It's normal driveline resonance. Mine doesnt vibrate the shifter or rattle the car though. Have you changed the clutch hydraulic fluid at all? Try the "Ranger" method. All you do is use a syringe/turkey baster to suck out the old fluid from the clutch master cylinder (under hood next to brake) and refill. Drive it a while then do it again. Repeat several times. If that doesnt help and your clutch is still dragging it could need a new clutch. My stock clutch has the same number of miles on it and feels great. I doubt you would need one with such low miles unless its been drag raced hard. I have the MGW shifter, it's a huge improvement over stock, extremely precise. Flushing the trans could help too but I wouldn't think the fluid would be that bad with those miles.
Thanks! I'll give some of these suggestions a shot tomorrow and check back in
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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 03:50 AM
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So I tried some of the suggestions you mentioned and it still is doing the same thing. It vibrates horribly at exactly 3500rpms, no matter what gear. So I'm thinking it's not a trans issue since it's every gear. Any other ideas?

The "hard to shift" problem has gone away after the fluid change though.

I'm thinking maybe a driveshaft issue? Any other ideas?
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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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Holy crap

I just posted a similar thread in the C5 Tech


I'm having WOT 3rd gear grinding issues and mine also has a weird vibe at 3kish RPM...bone stock '04 with 34k miles.

My vibes seem to be engine or flywheel related...they happen in gear or in neutral with the clutch engaged.
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by MPG_LOL
So I tried some of the suggestions you mentioned and it still is doing the same thing. It vibrates horribly at exactly 3500rpms, no matter what gear. So I'm thinking it's not a trans issue since it's every gear. Any other ideas?

The "hard to shift" problem has gone away after the fluid change though.

I'm thinking maybe a driveshaft issue? Any other ideas?
Glad the fluid change helped. Sounds like it could be the rubber driveshaft coupler. I'd ask over in the tech section too, you will get a lot more help there and may hear from someone that has had the same problem.
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 11:55 PM
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I've been doing some research and it seems like it is more than likely the coupler. With the season almost over I'm just going to hold out until winter time when I do a complete rebuild of the torque tube
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Old Oct 7, 2012 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by MPG_LOL
I've been doing some research and it seems like it is more than likely the coupler. With the season almost over I'm just going to hold out until winter time when I do a complete rebuild of the torque tube
Your rubber couplers are bad get them both replace befor they brake out of the rubber and do more damage in the drive line. Get the good ones from RPM TRANS IN HERE A VENDOR... Robert
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Old Oct 11, 2012 | 08:40 AM
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You would think that with 38k on the clock everything should still be in good shape.
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Old Oct 12, 2012 | 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Dale002
You would think that with 38k on the clock everything should still be in good shape.
I think they may have rotted honestly. The car sat for almost 14 months.
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Old Oct 12, 2012 | 04:25 PM
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Could be. I've let C5s sit much longer than that with the only issue being a dead battery. Then I bought a trickle charger and had no issues at all. If they are bad i would go ahead and do what you already are planning on doing and overhaul the complete shaft,even look at the clutch since you'll have it apart.
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