MN6 tough to Shift
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
MN6 tough to Shift
My shifter is a notchy SOB, there is no 1st bam to second bam to third.. It is more of a 1st-clack out clack in-2nd, clack out, clack in-3rd.
I added a Kirban SS shifter thinking maybe the stock shifter was a worn out POS. Now it takes a bit of muscle to go in, like a real tight ratchet, not smooth like my friends Z06 (shifts like warm butter). I know it is the MN12.
Car is a 2000 FRC with the MN6 72,550mi, I have a new Centerforce DF clutch and RAM fly wheel and all the other new parts that come with a clutch change. It goes into gear fine it is just really tough. I tried to space out the Detent, still tough. Is it my tranny or the shift box and linkage? Anyone had experience with this?
I added a Kirban SS shifter thinking maybe the stock shifter was a worn out POS. Now it takes a bit of muscle to go in, like a real tight ratchet, not smooth like my friends Z06 (shifts like warm butter). I know it is the MN12.
Car is a 2000 FRC with the MN6 72,550mi, I have a new Centerforce DF clutch and RAM fly wheel and all the other new parts that come with a clutch change. It goes into gear fine it is just really tough. I tried to space out the Detent, still tough. Is it my tranny or the shift box and linkage? Anyone had experience with this?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
The MN6 & the M12 are the same transmission, just different gears and minor differences in the synchronizer assemblies related to the production year differences. Those differences should not affect your shifting effort. I have a 2001 MN6 with a stock shifter that "shifts like warm butter" as you would say.
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 disliked mine. So the hunt began. New shifter. Nope. Swapped to Royal Purple Sychomesh, got better but wasn't what I was looking for. What did it for me was the antivenom mod. But I see you tried to space the detent. Maybe not enough? You can get to the point where it's way too loose. I also observed that the ball on the end of my detent bolt was frozen. I cleaned it up and lubed it well and in my hand the ball rolled around and pushed in much easier. I haven't heard of anyone else recommending lubing the detent ball so I can't say if it's an issue or not. I can say though I ended up with a shifter I don't despise anymore.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I disliked mine. So the hunt began. New shifter. Nope. Swapped to Royal Purple Sychomesh, got better but wasn't what I was looking for. What did it for me was the antivenom mod. But I see you tried to space the detent. Maybe not enough? You can get to the point where it's way too loose. I also observed that the ball on the end of my detent bolt was frozen. I cleaned it up and lubed it well and in my hand the ball rolled around and pushed in much easier. I haven't heard of anyone else recommending lubing the detent ball so I can't say if it's an issue or not. I can say though I ended up with a shifter I don't despise anymore.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
I had a shifting issue and someone suggested I realign the shifter. Didn't help. Someone else suggested I bleed the master, and although it was a b***h, it solved the problem. Also gave me the incentive to install a remote bleeder, which works wonderfully.
This may not be your problem, just a thought.
This may not be your problem, just a thought.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
I had a shifting issue and someone suggested I realign the shifter. Didn't help. Someone else suggested I bleed the master, and although it was a b***h, it solved the problem. Also gave me the incentive to install a remote bleeder, which works wonderfully.
This may not be your problem, just a thought.
This may not be your problem, just a thought.
I would look into aligning the shifter as well as changing the transmission fluid. Those are very easy/cheap things to do.
I would also look into bleeding the clutch system. Search for the Ranger method.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 36
From: Middle Of Kali CA
My shifter is a notchy SOB, there is no 1st bam to second bam to third.. It is more of a 1st-clack out clack in-2nd, clack out, clack in-3rd.
I added a Kirban SS shifter thinking maybe the stock shifter was a worn out POS. Now it takes a bit of muscle to go in, like a real tight ratchet, not smooth like my friends Z06 (shifts like warm butter). I know it is the MN12.
Car is a 2000 FRC with the MN6 72,550mi, I have a new Centerforce DF clutch and RAM fly wheel and all the other new parts that come with a clutch change. It goes into gear fine it is just really tough. I tried to space out the Detent, still tough. Is it my tranny or the shift box and linkage? Anyone had experience with this?
I added a Kirban SS shifter thinking maybe the stock shifter was a worn out POS. Now it takes a bit of muscle to go in, like a real tight ratchet, not smooth like my friends Z06 (shifts like warm butter). I know it is the MN12.
Car is a 2000 FRC with the MN6 72,550mi, I have a new Centerforce DF clutch and RAM fly wheel and all the other new parts that come with a clutch change. It goes into gear fine it is just really tough. I tried to space out the Detent, still tough. Is it my tranny or the shift box and linkage? Anyone had experience with this?
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Gotta remove the exhaust midpipe and the lower bellhousing. Definitely recommend using a lift! Hook up a power bleeder to the master then work your hand up into the area where the slave is. Can't remember if the bleeder nut is 3/8 or 7/16. If you have enough patience to get a wrench on it and crack it open, let the fluid flow till it's perfectly clear. Close the bleed screw and you're done.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Gotta remove the exhaust midpipe and the lower bellhousing. Definitely recommend using a lift! Hook up a power bleeder to the master then work your hand up into the area where the slave is. Can't remember if the bleeder nut is 3/8 or 7/16. If you have enough patience to get a wrench on it and crack it open, let the fluid flow till it's perfectly clear. Close the bleed screw and you're done.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Gotta remove the exhaust midpipe and the lower bellhousing. Definitely recommend using a lift! Hook up a power bleeder to the master then work your hand up into the area where the slave is. Can't remember if the bleeder nut is 3/8 or 7/16. If you have enough patience to get a wrench on it and crack it open, let the fluid flow till it's perfectly clear. Close the bleed screw and you're done.
Late Model Domestics
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 46
From: Virginia Beach VA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I have decided to try first things first, I am going to replace the gearbox and shifter, I see nothing but Lauds for the RSD snap shifter, I did a ranger fluid swap still notchy, I am sure the car was driven hard (with the stock shifter) prior to me buying it. It was also brought to my attention there are guide bushings that wear out we will see what happens.. At the very lease I will have a bad a$$ shifter LOL.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have decided to try first things first, I am going to replace the gearbox and shifter, I see nothing but Lauds for the RSD snap shifter, I did a ranger fluid swap still notchy, I am sure the car was driven hard (with the stock shifter) prior to me buying it. It was also brought to my attention there are guide bushings that wear out we will see what happens.. At the very lease I will have a bad a$$ shifter LOL.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 4
From: Nouvelle Ecosse
To the tune of "first things first", change the trans fluid. This can make a BIG change in the way the trans shifts. About 5k miles ago I changed mine with Dex 6. What a difference! The trans now shifts better than when I first got the car. Before the fluid change I truly thought I'd be changing my trans it shifted so lousy.