Tight 6 speed shifter
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
Tight 6 speed shifter
I had a Hurst short throw shifter installed on my 6 speed Vette. Its very tight and takes quite a bit of muscle to shift especially going into 6th gear. Is there a way to make it a bit looser? Is there an adjustment?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The shift spindle in the shifter housing moves forward and aft and twists CW & CCW about 30 degrees from neutral. From your description, I cant tell if your having issues moving the shift lever forward to aft or just side to side or both.
My 98 coupe shifter became a little stiff and I removed the shifter plate/lever and applied some lithium grease to the spindle and the ball in the shifter plate. It sure did help.
Unless you have an after market shifter with neutral assist springs "inside the shifter" that help center the shift handle to the neutral position the only springs that cause the shift handle to center are in the transmission. There pretty weak in my opinion!
The OEM shifter does NOT have any neutral centering springs. If you remove it from the shift housing, it will flop around like an old sock!
Bill C
My 98 coupe shifter became a little stiff and I removed the shifter plate/lever and applied some lithium grease to the spindle and the ball in the shifter plate. It sure did help.
Unless you have an after market shifter with neutral assist springs "inside the shifter" that help center the shift handle to the neutral position the only springs that cause the shift handle to center are in the transmission. There pretty weak in my opinion!
The OEM shifter does NOT have any neutral centering springs. If you remove it from the shift housing, it will flop around like an old sock!
Bill C
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
I am in the same boat. Just bought a car with the Hurst and while I love the throw the shifter is so stiff I am not sure if it isn't a transmission or clutch issue. I have acquired the adjustment springs from another forum member but I don't believe they will solve the notchy feel. They should affect the movement in neutral but not cause the fight to get her into a gear. I am going to open up the console and see if something is loose or out of alignment. The Hurst has the reputation as the hardest shifter out there and not for everyone, but I can't believe that mine is supposed to be as stiff as it is.
Is yours a brand new new shifter? Who did your install? What is the mileage on your clutch? You might consider taking the car to a speed shop that has installed a few of these and have them take her around the block. They should know right off if the feel is the same as their previous installations.
Is yours a brand new new shifter? Who did your install? What is the mileage on your clutch? You might consider taking the car to a speed shop that has installed a few of these and have them take her around the block. They should know right off if the feel is the same as their previous installations.
Last edited by nuck; Mar 31, 2008 at 10:20 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake VA
I installed a Hurst in my 2000 C5. I switched to the lightest spring combo, which improved it some. I also did the so called washer mod to the detent mechanism ( 1 copper washer) which helped some more. It is now tolerable, and I do like the precision and short throw. Would I buy it again, probably not.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Our shifters are GATE LESS Shifters, meaning that the shifter levers don't have any "shift pattern guide gates" in them. All of the gates and shift stops are contained inside the transmission. If your having a difficult time shifting, take the springs completely out of the shifter. The transmission has its OWN springs that provide the centering.
Trouble getting the trans in gear could be a number of issues.
First thing that you should do is change the transmission fluid. I would use some AMSOIL ATF. It seems to work in all year C5 tyrannies and improves the shift quality and feel.
Next, change the clutch master cyl fluid.
See if that helps.
Trouble getting the trans in gear could be a number of issues.
First thing that you should do is change the transmission fluid. I would use some AMSOIL ATF. It seems to work in all year C5 tyrannies and improves the shift quality and feel.
Next, change the clutch master cyl fluid.
See if that helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Thanks Bill. Mine has Redline fluid put in about 16000 miles ago when the Z06 clutch was put in by Xtreme Motorsports. I didn't think the clutch master cylinder fluid would be cooked. It looks okay but I will change it out. Only 24k on the driveline but maybe it is the master cylinder that is calving
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski