98 C5 Manual Shifter Issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
98 C5 Manual Shifter Issue
I have a 98 Vert 6 speed manual. The car has 47,000 miles on it.
The shifter seems stiff and sometimes It feels like you have to force it in to gear especially in 1st and 2nd gear. Every once in a while when shifteing into 5th it grinds. And Yes I am pushing the clutch in far enough..
Any ideas what would make the stock shifter so stiff? Also I was thinking about replacing the stock shifter witha a B&M short shift ripstick. Any suggestions on a shifter replacement?
The shifter seems stiff and sometimes It feels like you have to force it in to gear especially in 1st and 2nd gear. Every once in a while when shifteing into 5th it grinds. And Yes I am pushing the clutch in far enough..
Any ideas what would make the stock shifter so stiff? Also I was thinking about replacing the stock shifter witha a B&M short shift ripstick. Any suggestions on a shifter replacement?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Do the shifter alignment first. Its easy. Remove the center console, remove the cover access plate to the shifter. You'll find a pin on the front of it, that gets pushed down into the mechanism. Get it down and locked in. The shifter will be in neutral for this. Once down, losen the torx bolt on the shaft right there. The shaft will center itself back up, then tighten the torx back up. Pull the pin back up into its storage position and put it back together.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Martinez GA
i had same issues with stock shifter....my biggest issue was going into 1st from dead stop.....did the 2nd to 1st as a means of a deal with it, but still had issues.......changed fluids in clutch (did ranger method)....helped but not near as much as when i got mgw shifter. they are here in augusta, ga which is an easy day trip for you.......last time i dealt with him he would install the shifter for free if you bring car to him. he seemed to be good to work with and i use to work with his father so that influenced my decision to go there, but the customer service (free install) and performance it what lets me recommend them. i haven't ground a gear since and it seems to get smoother and smoother with time.
good luck
good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
be sure and do the Ranger method of replacing the clutch fluid as suggested above -- being tight or grinding in multiple gears sounds like the clutch may not be disengaging all the way -- my slave cylinder let go with about your mileage. Check carefully for even a tiny bit of fluid leakage at the bellhousing inspection cover - the slave usually leaks a bit before it goes out. Adjusting the shifter first is a good idea too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I have a 98 Vert 6 speed manual. The car has 47,000 miles on it.
The shifter seems stiff and sometimes It feels like you have to force it in to gear especially in 1st and 2nd gear. Every once in a while when shifteing into 5th it grinds. And Yes I am pushing the clutch in far enough..
Any ideas what would make the stock shifter so stiff? Also I was thinking about replacing the stock shifter witha a B&M short shift ripstick. Any suggestions on a shifter replacement?
The shifter seems stiff and sometimes It feels like you have to force it in to gear especially in 1st and 2nd gear. Every once in a while when shifteing into 5th it grinds. And Yes I am pushing the clutch in far enough..
Any ideas what would make the stock shifter so stiff? Also I was thinking about replacing the stock shifter witha a B&M short shift ripstick. Any suggestions on a shifter replacement?
Steps I would take:
1. Align the Shifter
2. Change Transmission Fluid (be sure to look for metal shavings in the old fluid. A magnet will help you with this.)
3. Bleed the clutch (if you have a remote bleeder that's ideal, otherwise do an advanced search for the "ranger method" and do that)
4. Check for leaks around the slave (get under there with a flashlight) and the master
I'm assuming your clutch components are all stock correct?
Also, the B&M is a nice piece; definitely an upgrade I would make. Any well known aftermarket shifter will yield a great improvement in the quality of your driving experience. The stock shifter is a piece of $hit...
GL
Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Aug 16, 2011 at 11:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Thanks for the info. The shifter adjustment sounds easy enough. I am going to take the car and have it serviced. It could use the 50K service anyway. Yes the car is completely stock.
However, First things first.... Saturday if all goes well im going to add a second Vette to the stable!. I found an unmolested C4 (89) with 96k on the clock.with very good interior and decent paint..The best part is the owner wants to trade it for a motorcycle that just sits in my storage unit. A good C4 for a bike worth about $4,000 yea ok you can have my bike...
However, First things first.... Saturday if all goes well im going to add a second Vette to the stable!. I found an unmolested C4 (89) with 96k on the clock.with very good interior and decent paint..The best part is the owner wants to trade it for a motorcycle that just sits in my storage unit. A good C4 for a bike worth about $4,000 yea ok you can have my bike...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids MI
If the shifter is aligned, the trans fluid is good, and freshening the clutch fluid doesnt help at all, (or helps for a very short period of time) then my diagnosis would be a failing slave.
Do us a favor and test it out. Find a perfectly flat surface, (parking lot, garage, etc,). Make sure it is flat enough that the car doesnt roll any direction while in neutral with the brakes off. Clutch in at a dead stop, put it in first and hold it at 6k rpm for a few seconds. If the car moves forward at all, it means that the clutch isnt disengaging 100%.
You wouldnt believe how worn out the bore of my stock slave was after 80k miles. Just incredible. a lot of people would prescribe an adjustable master to solve this issue, but it is just a bandaid for the real problem. Do this test and report back.
Good luck.
Jack
Do us a favor and test it out. Find a perfectly flat surface, (parking lot, garage, etc,). Make sure it is flat enough that the car doesnt roll any direction while in neutral with the brakes off. Clutch in at a dead stop, put it in first and hold it at 6k rpm for a few seconds. If the car moves forward at all, it means that the clutch isnt disengaging 100%.
You wouldnt believe how worn out the bore of my stock slave was after 80k miles. Just incredible. a lot of people would prescribe an adjustable master to solve this issue, but it is just a bandaid for the real problem. Do this test and report back.
Good luck.
Jack
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids MI
I'd tell you to just hold it on the limiter, but i'd get flamed by the valve spring police...
Jack
