still messing up. input??????
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
still messing up. input??????
so I replaced the shifter bushings on my 99 frc because 2nd gear was still grinding. well now second gear is great but 3rd and fourth are grinding. any input would help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Sounds like an alignment issue. Couple of thoughts...
1) Start by performing the shifter alignment again. It could be you need to attempt it a couple of times to find the sweet spot. The shifter centering spring is located in the transmission and could be getting weak due to age / use. If it is weak, it isn't moving the shift linkage to the true neutral position and it can be a challenge to get the alignment right. My Z06 was that way until I upgraded my tranny. It took a half dozen attempts.
2) If multiple attempts to align don't work, and the issue is the centering spring, consider an aftermarket shifter that has a centering spring built into the shift box or have the spring replaced in the tranny. IIRC the tranny has to be pulled to change the spring and that is why I suggested the aftermarket shifter.
To analyze the centering spring, move the shifter to the right side of the neutral gate and let it go. Note where the shifter stops. Repeat for the left side. Does it stop in the same location from either side? If it does, your spring is good. If not, it is likely weak.
The good news is it sounds like your tranny is ok otherwise.
1) Start by performing the shifter alignment again. It could be you need to attempt it a couple of times to find the sweet spot. The shifter centering spring is located in the transmission and could be getting weak due to age / use. If it is weak, it isn't moving the shift linkage to the true neutral position and it can be a challenge to get the alignment right. My Z06 was that way until I upgraded my tranny. It took a half dozen attempts.
2) If multiple attempts to align don't work, and the issue is the centering spring, consider an aftermarket shifter that has a centering spring built into the shift box or have the spring replaced in the tranny. IIRC the tranny has to be pulled to change the spring and that is why I suggested the aftermarket shifter.
To analyze the centering spring, move the shifter to the right side of the neutral gate and let it go. Note where the shifter stops. Repeat for the left side. Does it stop in the same location from either side? If it does, your spring is good. If not, it is likely weak.
The good news is it sounds like your tranny is ok otherwise.
Last edited by 3sACROWD; Apr 9, 2014 at 11:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
yeah this is the second tranny. I bought the car with the last tranny going out in second. lasted a couple years and I bought this one from a member on the forum. has like 70 k miles on it. I pushed he pin in like a member had told me last night on the phone while I did it. so I did that. but what im lost on is if there is tweaking needed then on what?? the tension or tightening on the bolts? lol that's what im a little lost on. because the problem just switched to a different gear..
thanks for the input!!!!!!!
thanks for the input!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
yeah this is the second tranny. I bought the car with the last tranny going out in second. lasted a couple years and I bought this one from a member on the forum. has like 70 k miles on it. I pushed he pin in like a member had told me last night on the phone while I did it. so I did that. but what im lost on is if there is tweaking needed then on what?? the tension or tightening on the bolts? lol that's what im a little lost on. because the problem just switched to a different gear..
thanks for the input!!!!!!!
thanks for the input!!!!!!!
The clutch not fully disengaging is an interesting thought but I wouldn't think you would impact which gears grind. I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
well I did loosen that one bolt that your talking about, a member on the forum was helping me while I was doing it. he said just to loosen it and let it relax and then retighten it. im actually happy because it doesn't look like a tranny I just want this thing to run right. been having tranny problems since I bought it years ago. and I don't want to let it go. my favorite is a white frc and I finally got one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Your shift box is mounted to the torque tube in RUBBER BUSHINGS. If those bushings are dry rotted, soft, worn or missing, it will allow the box to move around and you are NEVER going to get a good shift. The box has to be rock solid!! See if the shift box moves around in its mounting at ALl when you shift thru the gears.
There are four fasteners on the top of the shifter (Shift Plate and stick) that secures top shift plate to the lower box with four bolts. Make sure that they are the proper length and are tight. They have to not let the the top plate move at all. Make sure that the plate is tight on the lower box.
There is a black plastic bushing on the ball end of the stick (inside the box) Make sure that it is not worn or damaged and fits in the shift rod hole with out any slop.
The box you see is a C5 ZO6 box. It has SOLID BUSHINGS where as your box has rubber bushing on the torque tube:
Is the stick securely retained in the top plate? If it is sloppy, that can cause poor gear engagement.
IMHO,, you need to invest in a good aftermarket shifter and new C6 shift box. The shift boxes can and do wear out.
I have a KIRBAN Quick Shifter. It has shift handle centering springs in the shifter.
OEM vs KIRBAN shifter:
There are four fasteners on the top of the shifter (Shift Plate and stick) that secures top shift plate to the lower box with four bolts. Make sure that they are the proper length and are tight. They have to not let the the top plate move at all. Make sure that the plate is tight on the lower box.
There is a black plastic bushing on the ball end of the stick (inside the box) Make sure that it is not worn or damaged and fits in the shift rod hole with out any slop.
The box you see is a C5 ZO6 box. It has SOLID BUSHINGS where as your box has rubber bushing on the torque tube:
Is the stick securely retained in the top plate? If it is sloppy, that can cause poor gear engagement.
IMHO,, you need to invest in a good aftermarket shifter and new C6 shift box. The shift boxes can and do wear out.
I have a KIRBAN Quick Shifter. It has shift handle centering springs in the shifter.
OEM vs KIRBAN shifter:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
wow that looks nice. yes I replaced the bushings under the metal rings. but I did notice something that you pointed out. the top rubber piece under the shifter, before you see the guts, as you just showed, only has 2 bolts in. the two that belong on the passenger side are not there
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
YEP That top plate has to be rock solid mounted to the base.. Before you get too wound around an expensive shifter replacement, look in the C5 & C6 parts for sale/wanted section and see if any complete C6 shifter are for sale.
When I purchased my C6, the first thing i planned on changing was the damn SHIFTER..
Wouldn't you know it... That shifter is really nice. Much nicer than the C5 part. We kept it and the one in the wifes grand sport.
So,, if you can find a good used C6 OEM shifter (upper and lower unit) on the low, get it and see if it solves your issues. I agree,, You HAVE TO have a good hydraulic system that has fresh fluid and has been properly blead to have a properly operating clutch.
Bill
Bill
When I purchased my C6, the first thing i planned on changing was the damn SHIFTER..
Wouldn't you know it... That shifter is really nice. Much nicer than the C5 part. We kept it and the one in the wifes grand sport.
So,, if you can find a good used C6 OEM shifter (upper and lower unit) on the low, get it and see if it solves your issues. I agree,, You HAVE TO have a good hydraulic system that has fresh fluid and has been properly blead to have a properly operating clutch.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
yeah I contacted someone here on the forum that I got my torque tube and tranny from and he can get me a c6 shifter. since I work at a gm dealership I went ahead and ordered the bolts that I am missing and will realign the shifter. it is alittle out of whack. so when the t40 bolts come in and the others then ill remount it. thanks for all the help everyone; after 2 years of straight tranny problems it just gets frustrating.