M6 shifting difficulty
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
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M6 shifting difficulty
I recently bought an '01 c5 w/ low mileage (17k) and I have noticed recently, that while driving, it is difficult to move the shifter into each gear (there is a short stutter/lock up while shifting into gears).
It seems that this is still present when the car is off but it's not as pronounced.
Anyone know what the issue might be?
It seems that this is still present when the car is off but it's not as pronounced.
Anyone know what the issue might be?
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
Remove the shifter boot and the rubber close out from the top of the tunnel.
When you SHIFT, examine the shift box and see if it moves during the shift.
It shouldn’t move (at least not much at all) The box is mounted in rubber bushings. Two bushings on the top and one long solid rubber lined V notch on the bottom.
See if the bushings are deteriorated or if the four bolts that hold the shifter plate to the box are loose.
Look at the coupler that connects the box shift shaft to the trans shift rod. It should be 100% tight and have ZERO lost motion.
Bill
When you SHIFT, examine the shift box and see if it moves during the shift.
It shouldn’t move (at least not much at all) The box is mounted in rubber bushings. Two bushings on the top and one long solid rubber lined V notch on the bottom.
See if the bushings are deteriorated or if the four bolts that hold the shifter plate to the box are loose.
Look at the coupler that connects the box shift shaft to the trans shift rod. It should be 100% tight and have ZERO lost motion.
Bill
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
Also check your clutch fluid and make sure the fluid is clear and at the proper level. If its nasty and low, you may not be fully disengaging the clutch. If thats the case, it will QUICKLY wear out the synchro.
If its NASTY, I recommend properly flushing and bleeding the entire system. The slave and master cyl with new brake fluid.
If its NASTY, I recommend properly flushing and bleeding the entire system. The slave and master cyl with new brake fluid.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 17
From: South Lyon, MI
its normal these cars have notchy shifting with the stock shifter box. Some are more pronounced than others. I would change the trans fluid with some good synthetic fluid and see if it gets better, if not try the tips above and upgrade to a better shifter.
