M6 car? This thread is for you.
Auto/A4? You still have the stock shifter cable? (another thread)

Unless you have 10k miles and the car is stored inside/climate controlled, I'd say the shifter box is DONE.

Where?
Bolted to the torque tube via x2 T40(Torx) headed bolts, it attaches to the shift rod via a 3rd T40 headed bolt, all 3 bolts are same length/thread size.

Why?
Like most things, they will wear out with age, the plastic aft bushing will often wear out.

What?
Poor shifting, often causing missed shifts, and possibly syncro failure, gear tooth breakage

Corrective Action?
Easy, remove center console, x4 shifter tunnel closeout panel nuts, x3 T40 bolts, replace shifter box

Where do I get a new one? www.partstaxi.com
Kevin Cassimore is a car guy, he speaks the language and won't beat you up with preposterous shipping charges. I'd suggest using the C6 variant with the new shift ****, the C6 shifter is also kicked back.

PICS:
1. C6 shifter(LEFT), C5 shifter(RIGHT), no changes from 97-04 in the C5 shifter, all are threaded
2. Shifter alignment key is missing on the shifters("L" shaped key for aligning the shifter base to TorqueTube)
3. Z06 shifter box(LEFT), Base shifter box w/ rubber bushings(RIGHT)
4. Note the "V" shaped rubber bushing is missing on both shifter boxes, this attaches to to a bracket to stabilize the shifter assembly along with the x2 Torx bolts
5. The threaded rod with the rubber bushing/discs to the right are the front C5 ride height adjusters, the rubber bushing on the adjusters are now 'sliding' becoming deformed with use/age. Sometimes the actual rubber portion will fall off, this will create some weird handling with one corner of the car down 1.5 or so.
6. The splined shaft is the output shaft from a C5 T56. The pinion support in the diff also failed(maybe the cause) during this mishap.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

Shifter to trans attachment rod? if you have the trans out, I'd replace that also

 

Pics will really help.

 

pics up.

 

 

I just had my T56 fully rebuilt under 2000 miles ago, it's always still been somewhat hard to get into 2nd gear and almost like something is stopping it from fully engaging it sometimes. The shift rod pin fell out recently so I figured that would be the issue, but it is still hard to get into gear. I happen to read this thread, and was wondering if it could be the shifter box itself now? How can I check to tell it is worn? The car is a 97' with 130k miles, thanks.

 

Heck yea bud!!!! After 16 years and 130k miles you can stick a fork in the shifter base

Remove the shifter box, T40 Torx socket/bit and a T15/10mm socket to remove the center console, about 15 minutes

Don't drop any bolts in the tunnel, if the magnet doesn't work, you'll need to do a belly pan removal(not a big deal, but just be aware)

It's just a basic C5 wear item

 

Steve

Have you actually disassembled the complete shifter box?

Can you display the internal parts that wear out?

The C5 ZO6 boxes use an all metal mounting bushing so, that is not an issue on ZO6 boxes.

Mine has 60K on the box but it still shifts fine.

YES,,,,,,,,, I have seen and actually witnessed the shift rod from the back of the shifter to the trans wear out.

The swivel/flex joint becomes very loose and the pins can fall out. There are ways that you can tighten up the joint and tig weld the pins to prevent then from coming out. If you can not do that, find a new one or very low mileage used one.

Bill



Bill

 

Thanks man, I actually seen a kit online for special bushings listed to repair the box as well? There is "side to side play" in the shifter when in neutral, and has been for awhile. Never though it was actually the base itself, yet never had an exact answer after the car has been apart many times.