transmission not centering after rebuild
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transmission not centering after rebuild
hello i own a 1997 non z06 C5 and I've just taken the whole torque tube and all the rest that goes with it for an unrelated issue. in the meantime i had my transmission rebuilt as first and second synchro's where shot. the car is now running good and the gearbox is good, but same as before the transmission will not center at all back to the 3rd 4th gate. its much smoother but there is no spring in it at all. the gearbox shop has offered to rip the box out and fix it but i cant seem to find any conclusive evidence on if its there are even any centering springs in the gearbox or if the centering spring is meant to come from elsewhere, any information on this subject would be appreciated as i don't want to have it ripped apart again unless it has to be. cheers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
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You can try pulling the big bolt with the spring inside that sets the shifter centering.
It's on the passenger side of the transmission about 3/4 way up to the top. You can't see it (or photograph it) so you have to do it by feel. It's big - 13/16" or 7/8" size.
It's the bolt head that you put washers under to make the shifter lose it's self centering. I can't remember the name of the "mod" (getting old).
Pull the bolt and see if the spring is shot.
You don't need pull the trans to do this. Just lift the car up enough to crawl under the passenger side.
It's on the passenger side of the transmission about 3/4 way up to the top. You can't see it (or photograph it) so you have to do it by feel. It's big - 13/16" or 7/8" size.
It's the bolt head that you put washers under to make the shifter lose it's self centering. I can't remember the name of the "mod" (getting old).
Pull the bolt and see if the spring is shot.
You don't need pull the trans to do this. Just lift the car up enough to crawl under the passenger side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 859
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
1) Missing or broken shift shaft neutral return cam pin.
2) Broken neutral return cam spring.
3) Worn neutral return cam to shift shaft neutral return cam pin, (worn return cam pin groove).
If you find you do have issues with these parts upon inspection, you will have to source them from FleaBay or a corvette scraper as GM does not stock/sell them anymore...Not sure if can be purchased thru TREMEC though...
Double click on Pic to enlarge
Post up your findings when you find the root cause of the problem.
Cheers,
Goose
Last edited by 69; Jun 4, 2021 at 08:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
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So seems like its definitely something that will require the box to be pulled. witch is fine. at least i know for sure there's nothing i can do. it will all be free and under warranty. i appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge with me. cheers 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
You can try pulling the big bolt with the spring inside that sets the shifter centering.
It's on the passenger side of the transmission about 3/4 way up to the top. You can't see it (or photograph it) so you have to do it by feel. It's big - 13/16" or 7/8" size.
It's the bolt head that you put washers under to make the shifter lose it's self centering. I can't remember the name of the "mod" (getting old).
Pull the bolt and see if the spring is shot.
You don't need pull the trans to do this. Just lift the car up enough to crawl under the passenger side.
It's on the passenger side of the transmission about 3/4 way up to the top. You can't see it (or photograph it) so you have to do it by feel. It's big - 13/16" or 7/8" size.
It's the bolt head that you put washers under to make the shifter lose it's self centering. I can't remember the name of the "mod" (getting old).
Pull the bolt and see if the spring is shot.
You don't need pull the trans to do this. Just lift the car up enough to crawl under the passenger side.
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I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with centering. I think its pulling back and forth into gears.
Will at least it didn't work for.
mine still would not center except with a little bump.
Will at least it didn't work for.
mine still would not center except with a little bump.
Last edited by helga203; Jun 6, 2021 at 02:05 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 24
From: Houston
Hey I literally did this exact thing in February. Did the whole thing twice. The first time around the pin (#3) that connects to that spring in 69's diagram had fallen out.
I found it on the ground the day after I had it all together the first time.
Doing it the second time around it made a ton more sense. I also had to fix my leaky seal job. During the second disassembly I found that the 5-6 cluster was chewed into the mainshaft spines. (Also its supposed to be press fit on its taper, mine was loose.)
So a new 5-6 cluster and HD mainshaft later it's all together again.
It will decrease the notchy-ness at the end of shifter travel. What it does it decrease the amount of travel that the shift detent ball must be depressed by spacing it outward by the thickness of the washer(s) that you use.
I found it on the ground the day after I had it all together the first time.
Doing it the second time around it made a ton more sense. I also had to fix my leaky seal job. During the second disassembly I found that the 5-6 cluster was chewed into the mainshaft spines. (Also its supposed to be press fit on its taper, mine was loose.)
So a new 5-6 cluster and HD mainshaft later it's all together again.
It will decrease the notchy-ness at the end of shifter travel. What it does it decrease the amount of travel that the shift detent ball must be depressed by spacing it outward by the thickness of the washer(s) that you use.
Last edited by MultiVAC; Jun 9, 2021 at 09:58 AM.