Guys, I need to know some basic info here about a six-speed trans. I'm new to the Corvette world, dreamed of owning one for years and after much looking bought one last weekend, out of town as luck would have it so I can't just take it back easily to the used car dealer to have it checked.

The dealer told me the transmission was just rebuilt (parts include Reverse Gears and Syncro Kit and (3) Transmission Fluid for $611.00) with $1100.00 of labor fees.

When I test drove the car it was fine, but as I am pulling out to take it home it popped out of reverse and grinded. I thought, "no way...this is going to be bad." The dealer says basically it has to break in and tells me that to put it in reverse I have to push the stick up and to the left and as I release the clutch I will feel a pop and then it's locked in.

It seemed to work so I take a chance and bring it home but now I'm also seeing that sometimes when I put it in first it's really in 3rd, so I have to be careful to push it real hard to the left as I put it in first. Well, sorry, but to me that doesn't sound right.

So, was I scammed (I have a copy of the invoice from the people who rebuilt the trans) or do you thing it was a rush job and it just needs some adjustment.

I've seen a lot of threads here that talk about reverse issues on C5's but no mention of anybody saying that having to force it to the left and hold it till it clicks in place is a normal thing.

Please advise me, guys, before I start jumping on the repairs and adjustments on the other threads. Thanks!

 

Don't panic too soon - it may just be unfamiliarity. You do need to make firm, accurate and positive gear selections in a C5. Naturally it takes a while to get the "feel" for it.

First and reverse are the trickiest and it is easy when you are new to fail fully to engage the gear. With experience you will learn to engage first gear just a moment before you stop.

But if you are selecting when stopped and the shift lever baulks before full travel just come back to neutral and lift the clutch momentarily and try again. This applies to reverse also, of course.

Good luck!

 

You may want to try a shifter alignment (use "search" on this site). It is a relatively easy and straight forward procedure.

Try this link:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ing-wrong.html

 

Thanks. I saw that was one of the things to try. I just wasn't sure what to try first.

 

Where are you located? Maybe you could find a fellow member close by and see how it shifts? If it has been rebuilt(by someone who knows what they are doing)I would imagine that it works fine and if there is a problem, it might be the shifter alinement. Don't be timid just pull the the lever to the left and up for 1st. Also if you have a aftermarket short throw shifter in there it takes a little more force to shift than a stock shifter.

 

I've had my car for 13 years and still have it pop out of gear, it's not the car it's me. The advice above about your location is something every member should do. When I first joined I did the same as you no location. I had an issue with my car, asked for help and someone suggested I finish filling out my profile. As it turns out a member lived 2 miles form me and was willing to stop by to see if he could help. I took him up on his offer and a couple of hours later my x pipe and exhaust were installed.

 

That's a great idea, bulit. I'm in the Baton Rouge area. Whoever can hook up with me I'll buy them lunch.

To answer your question I don't have a short throw but am wanting to get one. Got to fix this issue first.

 

^^^Listen to this guy. Definitely sounds like a shifter alignment issue.

 

try the shifter alignment, mine was off just a tad, made the reverse engage much better. I also changed my tranny fluid to the Amsoil fluid.
Even though the dealer had changed the fluid a few thousand miles ago I wanted to make 100% sure it has the correct fluid in it.

 

Just a quick update on my shifter...I fixed it! Yaaaaaaaa!!!!!

I took all advice, so first I drained and installed the Amsoil ATF transmission fluid. Didn't really seem to help but I was glad I did it because I could tell when it was changed last they put the cheap stuff in it.

Today I got home from work and decided to start on the shifter adjustment that I've read so much about. I no sooner get the center console apart and remove the boot that I see the problem. As I move the gear shift back and forth I can see the bolt/clamp sliding around a bit on the shifter rod. No way that looked right. So I tightened down the clamp and saw a difference right away. I decided that since I was in there I should go ahead and do the proper procedure for adjusting the shifter so I loosened all 3 bolts, dropped the pin in, etc...

Now it totally shifts like it should. I'm so pumped! First gear just drops right in like butter and I don't have to go up and to the left, pull hard, then pray, in order to back up.

Tomorrow....I buff and wax, cause it's driving fine!

 

So glad to hear all is well! Welcome to C5 ownership... it's awesome!

 

It's been a blast so far, Zster. I'm so pumped about that shifter being an easy fix I may go ahead and put a short throw in it, if I can figure out which one to get. Don't want to give up drivability as I've heard some short throws aren't worth the trouble. Any suggestions?

 

This forum is awesome...just ask and you'll get great answers. Glad it was something very easy to fix. I love my MGW shifter with the Anti Venom mod...here's a link for it. Good Luck with the new vette.

http://www.toquez06.com/avm.html

 

Very cool, indeed