Since I bought my 99 a few months ago I have always thought the tranny or gearbox was very sticky. A couple of mechanix have told me this is normal, that the corvette simply has a tight gearbox to protect against its torque.
But I'm not convinced, eg- when I pull the shifter to the side while in neutral (either left or right) it does not return to the middle (between 3rd and 4th) it stays to the right or left.
This cannot be right, am I right?

 

You did not mention any maintenance of your transmission, & shifter & shifter box.

I suggest a transmission, transfusion of fresh fluid.

Secondly, a check of your shifter alignment, & inspection of to what shifter is in your car.

If it is the original shifter (1999), I suggest an upgrade.... to a brand new C/6 shifter & shifter box.

 

it's all stock.

 

Springs in the transmission get weak and cause that non-return issue. Mine usually doesn't return from the 5-6 side. Some aftermarket shifters have springs to help with this. I have an older MGW shifter and it's a good unit but no springs. I believe the new ones do have springs though.

As already noted, also try a trans flush and check the shifter alignment, though I doubt the flush or alignment will help with not returning to center. It might help with it shifting easier though.

 

The bushings for the shifter box have probably exceeded their freshness date. I believe that they are no longer available separately, so replace the entire shifter assy. with the the C6 unit. Most folks find the C6 unit blows a properly functioning C5 shifter out of the water, so this will be an excellent upgrade.

New trans lube can't hurt either, especially if you did not get service records when you bought the car. Access to the transmission is not quite as convenient as access to the shifter, however, so I would start there. Did you notice how I deftly avoided recommending Dexron III, Dexron 6, Amsoil, or Royal Purple?

When it is all said and done, you will still have a notchiness when shifting between gears. Search for "anti-venom" and consider adding the spacer when you change the trans lube. It's quick, easy and dollar for dollar will be the best improvement that you'll ever make.

 

There's a joke somewhere in the thread title but I'm not going there.

 

Surely a OEM C6 shifter assy will cost an arm and leg, no?

Also, I did find a vendor that sells bushings but I don't think that its bushings, there is no rattle or play.

springs sounds right. I'll look into that. Maybe a fluid flush. Can an alignment be done without dropping the whole thing?

 

oem c6 isnt that expensive.

the shift bushings are available from the aftermarket. I bought a set years ago I just never had the time to go in there in replace them.

 

Thats the only reason I read the thread... Frankly.. Im dissapointed

"Tight Tranny" , "Sticky Gearbox" and "Hanging to the left" all comedy gold

Sounds like you need some lube


Appologies to all

 

That made my entire week.... I’m glad its HUMP DAY!

On a more serious note,, YES,, the lower part of the shifter can and will become stiff. I have an 02 ZO6 and Im starting to feel mine tightening up.

The entire shifter and box can be disassembled and inspected. I plan on doing it to mine just to see what’s in it, what fails and IF,, it can be salved/Improved or just cleaned up.

RECOMMENDATION: Disconnect the shift rod from the shifter box:



It’s a single bolt and the rod slips off the shaft on the box.

Remove the rod and see if the shift box feels stiff. IT SHOULD NOT have any resistance or stiffness. It should be totally free ot move in any direction.

If its stiff, apply some synthetic oil to the shift rod and in the hole on the front of the top of the cap on the front of the shifter.

The shift box that you see is a C5 ZO6 box. It does NOT have rubber bushings that isolate the box from the torque tube like a NON ZO6 box will have.

The NON ZO6 boxes have rubber isolator bushings that deteriorate and degrade shift quality and can cause the trans to POP OUT OF GEAR. Bad bushings will not normally cause stiffness BUT, it will cause shifting issues.

OEM shift handle vs KIRBAN Shifter :



It has centering springs inside the shifter body that assists the shift handle to the 3rd/4th N gate.

Bill