Very difficult to get into reverse
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 256
From: St. Louis Missouri
Very difficult to get into reverse
I just installed a new clutch. The slave cylinder and pilot bearing have 2,500 miles. The master cylinder has 70k on it.
What are the common causes for it being very difficult to get into reverse? It's so difficult that I have to use 2 hands or wedge my knee against the shifter to get it to slide past 5/6. It doesn't matter if the car is running or stopped, nor hot/cold.
BTW, I've already bled it twice (using 2 different methods). I used a Mity Vac on the master reservoir and speed bleeder as well as the old method requiring the pedal to be pumped. I'm pretty confident there is no air in the system.
What are the common causes for it being very difficult to get into reverse? It's so difficult that I have to use 2 hands or wedge my knee against the shifter to get it to slide past 5/6. It doesn't matter if the car is running or stopped, nor hot/cold.
BTW, I've already bled it twice (using 2 different methods). I used a Mity Vac on the master reservoir and speed bleeder as well as the old method requiring the pedal to be pumped. I'm pretty confident there is no air in the system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 13
From: Anywhere where Cones need hit
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
CI-X Auto-X Champ (race tires)
St. Jude Donor '07-'09
How hard is 1st to get into?
I had alot of trouble when I 1st bought my Z, and it was the torx head bolt that keeps the linkage in place next to the shifter. There's some good instructions around here that help you get the shifter centered and reset and tightened.
I had alot of trouble when I 1st bought my Z, and it was the torx head bolt that keeps the linkage in place next to the shifter. There's some good instructions around here that help you get the shifter centered and reset and tightened.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
How hard is 1st to get into?
I had alot of trouble when I 1st bought my Z, and it was the torx head bolt that keeps the linkage in place next to the shifter. There's some good instructions around here that help you get the shifter centered and reset and tightened.
I had alot of trouble when I 1st bought my Z, and it was the torx head bolt that keeps the linkage in place next to the shifter. There's some good instructions around here that help you get the shifter centered and reset and tightened.
sounds like your shifter is not centered. I believe that all you need to do is loosen the torx screws around the shifter (4) put the shifter in neutral, push the locking pin down (laocated in front of the shifter) tighten down the 4 torx screws then pull the locking pin up to unlock. that should do the trick. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: Okinawa
if you cant get it past the 5-6 gate...its definitely the reverse solenoid lockout....if you can get it in the reverse gate and its still difficult to get in then maybe hydraulics as well....hows first gear/
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
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
first - check the solenoid and be sure it is plugged in.
second - did you align the shifter after the clutch install? if not do that, there are instructions somewhere on the forum, do a search
third - if #1 or #2 does not fix it, then it is the tranny
second - did you align the shifter after the clutch install? if not do that, there are instructions somewhere on the forum, do a search
third - if #1 or #2 does not fix it, then it is the tranny
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I missed the connector when I did my clutch and ripped the wires out. If you lay under the car and bear hug the tranny the connector is on the top passenger side if I remember correctly. I would bet either it's not connected or you missed it and ripped it out like I did. It's easy to miss.
