hard shifting 6 speed
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Joined: Sep 2008
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hard shifting 6 speed
I just bought a 97 with 70k on it. It seems to me it is very hard shifting, getting it in reverse is a challenge sometimes. Any suggestions as to what I might be able to do to help this?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Belleville Il
Do the simple tried ant true things first,,#1 chnge the tranny fluid(#1recomended fluid is Royal Purple Syncro Max,safe for the older syncro blocker rings) and #2 Suck out the flush and clean the clutch master cylinder,,refill with fresh dot 3 or 4 brake fluid. Drive for a while and chances are very good you will see improvement quickly(takes a little shifting to get everything slipping and sliding well to the max) Mine would hardly go back into first when sitting at a stop light!! Did the change and flush and in no time it was almost like new!! If problems persist THEN you can start looking deeper!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
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From: Houston TX
Do the simple tried ant true things first,,#1 chnge the tranny fluid(#1recomended fluid is Royal Purple Syncro Max,safe for the older syncro blocker rings) and #2 Suck out the flush and clean the clutch master cylinder,,refill with fresh dot 3 or 4 brake fluid. Drive for a while and chances are very good you will see improvement quickly(takes a little shifting to get everything slipping and sliding well to the max) Mine would hardly go back into first when sitting at a stop light!! Did the change and flush and in no time it was almost like new!! If problems persist THEN you can start looking deeper!!
mine is having an issue like that. sometimes not wanting to go into first. i will try it also.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
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From: Coconut Creek FL
my 97 was doing the same thing...did all of the above and went a step further by installing a C6 Z06 shifter and custom boot...
the fluid made the shifting easier as suggested, the shifter made a world of difference in shifting effort...my old 41K mile shifter was SLOPPY!
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 98
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'98 doesn't like 1st!
I am having the same issue.. I just purchased a 98 with 40K miles.. its like a new car so I don't know what the problem is with the shifter. I've had it for a week and I've unfortunately have been grinding 1st gear as I would think I am in gear.. I got so frustrated I had to force it in gear! -not cool!
I am thinking about removing the detent in hopes that will help.
OH, I noticed that when I have this "hitting the (1st gear) wall" if I let up on the clutch while holding pressure towards 1st it will drop in.. is that weird? What's the deal?
If there is an adjustment to be made I would love more info - thanks!
I am thinking about removing the detent in hopes that will help.
OH, I noticed that when I have this "hitting the (1st gear) wall" if I let up on the clutch while holding pressure towards 1st it will drop in.. is that weird? What's the deal?
If there is an adjustment to be made I would love more info - thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
I am having the same issue.. I just purchased a 98 with 40K miles.. its like a new car so I don't know what the problem is with the shifter. I've had it for a week and I've unfortunately have been grinding 1st gear as I would think I am in gear.. I got so frustrated I had to force it in gear! -not cool!
I am thinking about removing the detent in hopes that will help.
OH, I noticed that when I have this "hitting the (1st gear) wall" if I let up on the clutch while holding pressure towards 1st it will drop in.. is that weird? What's the deal?
If there is an adjustment to be made I would love more info - thanks!
I am thinking about removing the detent in hopes that will help.
OH, I noticed that when I have this "hitting the (1st gear) wall" if I let up on the clutch while holding pressure towards 1st it will drop in.. is that weird? What's the deal?
If there is an adjustment to be made I would love more info - thanks!
Try the tranny and master flush first,,You will probably be surprised at how well it works!! Mine had 55k on her and both were NASTY!!! Function was better right away ,,and got even better with some miles on it!!
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Also I did the DIY version of the Anti-venom mod. It was unbelievably easy.. and I also found a part for two bucks that took care of the plug (beats the $60).
For anyone interested in the mod here is the part I used - Oil-tite! M20-1,50 (65221) - its basically a drain plug and gasket - same threads as the detent. Found at local auto shop.
Unfortunately it didn't give me quite the "butter" shifting I was hoping for.. but it is better than stock! Definetly worth the 2 bucks and ten minutes of work
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I agree with everything that has been said.
Just one caution, prior to 2001, C5's used paper blocker rings (changed to carbon fiber in 2001). Not all synthetic fluids are compatable with these, Mobil 1 ATF is NOT compatable. Mobil 1 started grinding after 50,000 miles in my 1998 going into 6th gear. When I changed to Amsoil ATD it immediately stopped !
I recommend changing MN6 transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. GM says it is good forever
!
Just one caution, prior to 2001, C5's used paper blocker rings (changed to carbon fiber in 2001). Not all synthetic fluids are compatable with these, Mobil 1 ATF is NOT compatable. Mobil 1 started grinding after 50,000 miles in my 1998 going into 6th gear. When I changed to Amsoil ATD it immediately stopped !
I recommend changing MN6 transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. GM says it is good forever
!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Jackson MI
my 97 was doing the same thing...did all of the above and went a step further by installing a C6 Z06 shifter and custom boot...
the fluid made the shifting easier as suggested, the shifter made a world of difference in shifting effort...my old 41K mile shifter was SLOPPY!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
I agree with everything that has been said.
Just one caution, prior to 2001, C5's used paper blocker rings (changed to carbon fiber in 2001). Not all synthetic fluids are compatable with these, Mobil 1 ATF is NOT compatable. Mobil 1 started grinding after 50,000 miles in my 1998 going into 6th gear. When I changed to Amsoil ATD it immediately stopped !
I recommend changing MN6 transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. GM says it is good forever !
Just one caution, prior to 2001, C5's used paper blocker rings (changed to carbon fiber in 2001). Not all synthetic fluids are compatable with these, Mobil 1 ATF is NOT compatable. Mobil 1 started grinding after 50,000 miles in my 1998 going into 6th gear. When I changed to Amsoil ATD it immediately stopped !
I recommend changing MN6 transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. GM says it is good forever
!Can you buy it at the local auto shop or is it online only? Our nearest auto shop didn't have it.
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From: Whippany NJ
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Belleville Il
Royal Purple Syncro Max is available just about every where and is good for all trannys,even the older ones,,that's what I used. .Easier to get and less expensive than Amsoil. LOT's of People us it ,,even used in a lot of racing transmissions!! Used R.P. in my trans and rear end,,shortly thereafter went to the strip and ran flawless (finished the night with a !3.08/110.23)!!
Last edited by itzza427; Sep 9, 2008 at 10:59 PM.
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From: King George VA
Here's the fluid mentioned above:
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid
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From: Lewisville TX
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I would try fluid first as well. We have always used RedLine D4 ATF in all of our street cars and race cars using T56 transmissions. Never once had a problem.
If the car has a hard time going into gear after that, I think it is going to be more serious.
Is it hard going into the gate, or going into gear?
If the car has a hard time going into gear after that, I think it is going to be more serious.
Is it hard going into the gate, or going into gear?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Hot Springs AR
The only thing I'd recommend is running a synthetic fluid. I don't have all the tech details (higher temp capacity, lubricity, etc.), but I *do* know that conventional tranny fluids tend to break down more easily than the synthetics do (based on what I've drained out of many trannys
)HTH, and have a good one,
Mike