6 speed shifting difficulty.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Covington GA
6 speed shifting difficulty.
I have a 97 with a 6 speed. Sometimes it is difficult to shift into first when stopped.I can put into second then it will go into first but still noit real smoothly. And when crusing in 6th It will not shift back into 5th, only 4th. Any suggestions? :confused:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (frdracfan)
Are you leaving it 'out of gear' while stopped? With the clutch out? This lets the gears continue to turn without transmitting power. Then a quick gab at the clutch will allow the selector to catch a gear, just like driving normally.
When downshifting, are you giving the throttle a blip to match the revs? If not, you may have worn the synchros.
Both are symptomatic of improper use of the tranny and clutch. Since you got 6 years out of the tranny, you should not feel too bad and you technique just needs a little work.
How many clutches have you gone through?
When downshifting, are you giving the throttle a blip to match the revs? If not, you may have worn the synchros.
Both are symptomatic of improper use of the tranny and clutch. Since you got 6 years out of the tranny, you should not feel too bad and you technique just needs a little work.
How many clutches have you gone through?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (Mitch Alsup)
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Sounds like it needs a clutch to me.
I am having similar problems with my 98. 60 k on th clock and it;s just that time.
Parts wear out, and the clutch is certainly no exception. You could potentially have issues with the hydraulic clutch components, which will prevent the clutch from fully disengaging, further compounding the wearing of the clutch.
Unfortunately, it's not a cheap fix. But what is with these cars???
The thrills and the women......oh yeah, I almost forgot...........
I am having similar problems with my 98. 60 k on th clock and it;s just that time.
Parts wear out, and the clutch is certainly no exception. You could potentially have issues with the hydraulic clutch components, which will prevent the clutch from fully disengaging, further compounding the wearing of the clutch.
Unfortunately, it's not a cheap fix. But what is with these cars???
The thrills and the women......oh yeah, I almost forgot...........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,900
Likes: 1,842
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (frdracfan)
Another thing: when was the last time the fluid was changed? If it's been more than a year or two (or original), a quick fluid change might fix the problem.
If it doesn't, then all you're out is the cost of the fluid (assuming you're doing it yourself).
Hope this helps,
Mike
If it doesn't, then all you're out is the cost of the fluid (assuming you're doing it yourself).
Hope this helps,
Mike
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Elmhurst IL
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (VetteDrmr)
Not a tranny expert, but if you can easily get it into second, but not first, it's probably not a clutch problem. More likely syncronizers.
Expensive little buggers - all labor. Replace the clutch while your at it if that proves to be the problem.
Expensive little buggers - all labor. Replace the clutch while your at it if that proves to be the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (Mitch Alsup)
Are you leaving it 'out of gear' while stopped? With the clutch out? This lets the gears continue to turn without transmitting power. Then a quick gab at the clutch will allow the selector to catch a gear, just like driving normally.
When downshifting, are you giving the throttle a blip to match the revs? If not, you may have worn the synchros.
Both are symptomatic of improper use of the tranny and clutch. Since you got 6 years out of the tranny, you should not feel too bad and you technique just needs a little work.
How many clutches have you gone through?
When downshifting, are you giving the throttle a blip to match the revs? If not, you may have worn the synchros.
Both are symptomatic of improper use of the tranny and clutch. Since you got 6 years out of the tranny, you should not feel too bad and you technique just needs a little work.
How many clutches have you gone through?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (frdracfan)
matching revs will do nothing to save your syncros, only double clutching will save the syncros. Of course that will wear your clutch out faster so either way you cant win.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Philly burbs PA
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (robl45)
Is this something new or has it always been there. Most cars are difficult to get into first unless you are pretty much stopped, and for good reason.
Try letting the clutch out in neutral then push it in and go to first. I do this when going into reverse and never get the grinding or thump sounds.
Going from 6th to 5th should never be an issue though. Changing the trans fluid is a good first step. Especially if its never been done :eek:
:thumbs:
Try letting the clutch out in neutral then push it in and go to first. I do this when going into reverse and never get the grinding or thump sounds.
Going from 6th to 5th should never be an issue though. Changing the trans fluid is a good first step. Especially if its never been done :eek:
:thumbs:
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Covington GA
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (frdracfan)
Mitch,I just bought the car. So i dont know if it is the origional clutch or not. The car has 85000 on it. I am first going to try bleading the clutch and go from there. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (frdracfan)
Mitch,I just bought the car. So i dont know if it is the origional clutch or not. The car has 85000 on it. I am first going to try bleading the clutch and go from there. Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (wwashing)
Just because you are having touble in one gear and not the others is no indication that the tranny is failing and not the clutch.
Synchros wear at different rates based on how often the gear is used.
Naturally 1-4 will see more shift duty than 5 or 6. Afterall, you go through 1-4 to get to 5 or 6 in the first place.
All forward gears in modern transmissions have synchronizers. Reverse, however, does not. This is why running the transmission through other gears before going into reverse will prevent reverse from grinding.
Unless there is water or air in your system, I don't think bleeding will help much.
With 85k on the odo, I would bet money that the hydraulics/clutch are done. Hard to say without seeing the car, but that's my bet.
BTW, GM says that there is a seal which causes the fluid to darken. So just because your fluid is dark, doesn't mean that your fluid is no good.
Not saying that this is your problem, just conveying info....
Synchros wear at different rates based on how often the gear is used.
Naturally 1-4 will see more shift duty than 5 or 6. Afterall, you go through 1-4 to get to 5 or 6 in the first place.
All forward gears in modern transmissions have synchronizers. Reverse, however, does not. This is why running the transmission through other gears before going into reverse will prevent reverse from grinding.
Unless there is water or air in your system, I don't think bleeding will help much.
With 85k on the odo, I would bet money that the hydraulics/clutch are done. Hard to say without seeing the car, but that's my bet.
BTW, GM says that there is a seal which causes the fluid to darken. So just because your fluid is dark, doesn't mean that your fluid is no good.
Not saying that this is your problem, just conveying info....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (DucaT)
All forward gears in modern transmissions have synchronizers. Reverse, however, does not. This is why running the transmission through other gears before going into reverse will prevent reverse from grinding..
CONSTANT MESH, FULLY SYNCHRONIZED REVERSE
Many transmissions require the direct engagement of an additional gear between the mainshaft and the countershaft to change the direction of output rotation for reverse. The engagement of this extra gear is often harsh because of the forced meshing of gear teeth. On the T56, reverse gear is constantly in mesh, and its
engagement is controlled by synchronizer sleeves just like the forward gears. This greatly reduced noise and harshness when selecting reverse and improves durability. :hurray:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (robl45)
matching revs will do nothing to save your syncros, only double clutching will save the syncros. Of course that will wear your clutch out faster so either way you cant win.
B) How does rev matching NOT also save wear and tear on the clutch? Since the clutch is engaged with no rev differential, it can pass through the friction zone with no wear whatsoever.
What kind of stuff are you smoking?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: 6 speed shifting difficulty. (Mitch Alsup)
matching revs will do nothing to save your syncros, only double clutching will save the syncros. Of course that will wear your clutch out faster so either way you cant win.
A) if the revs are matched, the synchro have nothing to do. So I don't see how rev matching FAILS to decrease wear on synchros. A properly rev-matched shift can be don't without any shnchros int he tranny, and without any grinding, grabbing, or other noises.
B) How does rev matching NOT also save wear and tear on the clutch? Since the clutch is engaged with no rev differential, it can pass through the friction zone with no wear whatsoever.
What kind of stuff are you smoking?
A) if the revs are matched, the synchro have nothing to do. So I don't see how rev matching FAILS to decrease wear on synchros. A properly rev-matched shift can be don't without any shnchros int he tranny, and without any grinding, grabbing, or other noises.
B) How does rev matching NOT also save wear and tear on the clutch? Since the clutch is engaged with no rev differential, it can pass through the friction zone with no wear whatsoever.
What kind of stuff are you smoking?
Rev matching saves wear on the clutch whether or not you double clutch. But you must double clutch to save synchros.
For what it's worth, the synchros can handle the task, doublr clutching is a waste of energy. :cheers:
