Anything else keeping me from reverse gear???
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Anything else keeping me from reverse gear???
When I purchased my car (1998), I would have to hold in reverse to keep it from popping out. Did a bunch of mods to the car and while I was at it, I replaced the reverse gear, synchro, and bronze shift fork pads. The transmission that's in it is an RPM transmission. I also replaced the reverse lockout solenoid. I have the bronze isolator cup for the shifter. I have a Tick master cylinder and goes into every gear EXCEPT for reverse. Anything I'm missing??? Thanks!!! I'm sooooo super aggravated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
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Many has this problem theres a thread out there that fixes this. Well for me it did. On the reverse shaft where the c clip you have to ground down and shime. This is just a quick run down but google to get detailed instruction. After i did this reverse goes in like butter and never popped out.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Sep 7, 2025 at 09:40 AM.
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Melting Slicks
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There's a bunch of good info on the internet, a google search for something like "T56 reverse fix" should net you useful results.
I documented some of my own T56 reverse fix here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1601856462
I documented some of my own T56 reverse fix here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1601856462
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,992
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From: Chandler AZ
When was the last time your clutch hydraulic fluid was bled/flushed?
I was having similar issues with getting into reverse and also popping out of first or 2nd gear.
Put on Katech remote bleeder after trying the ranger clutch bleeder technique without success for several tries over the years.
A lot of junk came out black fluid, shifting issues fixed, by the way car was factory clutch and transmission and was 20 years old at the time of adding remote bleeder.
About a month later clutch got stuck on floor, Reservoir was empty, refilled and no more issues, but I suspect it will need a new slave cylinder.
I was having similar issues with getting into reverse and also popping out of first or 2nd gear.
Put on Katech remote bleeder after trying the ranger clutch bleeder technique without success for several tries over the years.
A lot of junk came out black fluid, shifting issues fixed, by the way car was factory clutch and transmission and was 20 years old at the time of adding remote bleeder.
About a month later clutch got stuck on floor, Reservoir was empty, refilled and no more issues, but I suspect it will need a new slave cylinder.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
When was the last time your clutch hydraulic fluid was bled/flushed?
I was having similar issues with getting into reverse and also popping out of first or 2nd gear.
Put on Katech remote bleeder after trying the ranger clutch bleeder technique without success for several tries over the years.
A lot of junk came out black fluid, shifting issues fixed, by the way car was factory clutch and transmission and was 20 years old at the time of adding remote bleeder.
About a month later clutch got stuck on floor, Reservoir was empty, refilled and no more issues, but I suspect it will need a new slave cylinder.
I was having similar issues with getting into reverse and also popping out of first or 2nd gear.
Put on Katech remote bleeder after trying the ranger clutch bleeder technique without success for several tries over the years.
A lot of junk came out black fluid, shifting issues fixed, by the way car was factory clutch and transmission and was 20 years old at the time of adding remote bleeder.
About a month later clutch got stuck on floor, Reservoir was empty, refilled and no more issues, but I suspect it will need a new slave cylinder.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Okay, so update. I bled the system. No air. Still no reverse. I even took the plunger out of the old reverse lockout solenoid, thinking maybe it was an electrical issue of some kind not allowing the solenoid to work, and put the old solenoid back in with no plunger at all. STILL no reverse. Doesn't even act like it wants to go in reverse.
I can only assume at this point that it's either something in the transmission (even though I just had it torn apart and put in a brand new reverse gear and synchro in it with bronze fork pads), or something dealing with the linkage, not allowing it to move over. It doesn't even want to act like there's a notch to even go into 🤬🤬🤬
I can only assume at this point that it's either something in the transmission (even though I just had it torn apart and put in a brand new reverse gear and synchro in it with bronze fork pads), or something dealing with the linkage, not allowing it to move over. It doesn't even want to act like there's a notch to even go into 🤬🤬🤬
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
Okay, so update. I bled the system. No air. Still no reverse. I even took the plunger out of the old reverse lockout solenoid, thinking maybe it was an electrical issue of some kind not allowing the solenoid to work, and put the old solenoid back in with no plunger at all. STILL no reverse. Doesn't even act like it wants to go in reverse.
I can only assume at this point that it's either something in the transmission (even though I just had it torn apart and put in a brand new reverse gear and synchro in it with bronze fork pads), or something dealing with the linkage, not allowing it to move over. It doesn't even want to act like there's a notch to even go into 🤬🤬🤬
I can only assume at this point that it's either something in the transmission (even though I just had it torn apart and put in a brand new reverse gear and synchro in it with bronze fork pads), or something dealing with the linkage, not allowing it to move over. It doesn't even want to act like there's a notch to even go into 🤬🤬🤬
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
If you are talking about the reverse lockout solenoid bypass or delete, that didn't work for me. I have no plunger in the solenoid so there's nothing to keep it locked out. I'm not sure why it's not going into reverse at this point in time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
No you have to go into the rear of the trams and take out the reverse fork and modify. I have a trans out. Ill take pictures and show you what to do. You have to take out trans for this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
This side comes off
inside when off
This does nothing for your problem
same
This is the shaft that engages reverse gear pushes fork into reverse gear
This is where you add shim to move fork closer to gear. Your shifting the fork closer so travel is shorter and can make more force to completly engage syncor so it doesnt pop out
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
Im in the middle of rebuilding this trans for friend. Ask if you don't understand. This is what worked for the trans i did. Its the most common problem but your syncor might affect your problem if there damage. But start there because you have to tear down then you can inspect sycor teeth. Hope this helps