Extremely stiff shifter. . . linkage??
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Lenox IL
Extremely stiff shifter. . . linkage??
Ok,
My dad just bought a 21k used 1999 FRC. Clutch feels good, trans actually shifts nicely.
BUT, rowing the gears is like someone put a stick in the ground and you're trying to shift that!
Just in neutral it's that stiff.
We've driven another 6spd C5, and it's like night and day. It's not the shifter either, because once removed, it moves around with no resistance.
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike
My dad just bought a 21k used 1999 FRC. Clutch feels good, trans actually shifts nicely.
BUT, rowing the gears is like someone put a stick in the ground and you're trying to shift that!
Just in neutral it's that stiff.
We've driven another 6spd C5, and it's like night and day. It's not the shifter either, because once removed, it moves around with no resistance.
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by mgreen
Ok,
My dad just bought a 21k used 1999 FRC. Clutch feels good, trans actually shifts nicely.
BUT, rowing the gears is like someone put a stick in the ground and you're trying to shift that!
Just in neutral it's that stiff.
We've driven another 6spd C5, and it's like night and day. It's not the shifter either, because once removed, it moves around with no resistance.
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike
My dad just bought a 21k used 1999 FRC. Clutch feels good, trans actually shifts nicely.
BUT, rowing the gears is like someone put a stick in the ground and you're trying to shift that!
Just in neutral it's that stiff.
We've driven another 6spd C5, and it's like night and day. It's not the shifter either, because once removed, it moves around with no resistance.
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike
They may have retained the stock C5 **** and some of the shifters like Hurst are very stiff but can be adjusted.
Scott
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
The shift linkage is one LONG rod that goes all the way back to the tranny. It has two mounting points at the shifter. Does the shift feel change if the engine is running as compared to being off? Can you shift the trans through all 6 gears with the engine off and feel the same stiffness?
The mounting points at the shifter may need to be lubricated. You could also have a bent shift rod. That is why i need to know if it shifts better with the engine on or off.
Bill
The mounting points at the shifter may need to be lubricated. You could also have a bent shift rod. That is why i need to know if it shifts better with the engine on or off.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
That's definately does not sound like the stock shifter. Sounds like a B&M Ripper to me. The Hurst shifters are not as stiff as you explained. My Hurst shifts fairly easy, my old man's B&M is like rowing a piece of rebar stubbed up out of a concrete slab. Not trying to start a best shifter war, already seen that one. Just MHO. Some will say the exact opposite of what my opinion is of the shifters. Remove the **** and boot and look at the shifter. Then compare it to photos of others. Might help you figure out what you're dealing with. 
Sorry. Went back and read your post again and realized that it is not the shifter.
Sorry. Went back and read your post again and realized that it is not the shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,927
Likes: 3
From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Shifter
________________________________________ ____________________We've driven another 6spd C5, and it's like night and day. It's not the shifter either, because once removed, it moves around with no resistance.
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike[/QUOTE]
________________________________________ ____________________
I had the same problem when I bought my 98 coupe. After being told is was This and That, I removed the shifter and lubricated the linkage that you find under the shifter. The shifter linkage goes through the shifter "Block" I'll call it. Remove the shifter, lubricate the shaft, put the shifter back on again without the bolts to hold it down, move the shifter as if you were putting it in first, remove the shifter, lubricate the linkage that you couldn't see before, put the shifter back in and shift it as if you were putting it into second, remove the shifter and lubricate the linkage again...........any better? It worked for me
Is it possible that the shift linkage is binding somewhere? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike[/QUOTE]
________________________________________ ____________________
I had the same problem when I bought my 98 coupe. After being told is was This and That, I removed the shifter and lubricated the linkage that you find under the shifter. The shifter linkage goes through the shifter "Block" I'll call it. Remove the shifter, lubricate the shaft, put the shifter back on again without the bolts to hold it down, move the shifter as if you were putting it in first, remove the shifter, lubricate the linkage that you couldn't see before, put the shifter back in and shift it as if you were putting it into second, remove the shifter and lubricate the linkage again...........any better? It worked for me
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Lenox IL
It IS a Ripper, well supposedly. It's got a nice anodized base, but doesn't say B&M nor does it have any stops. Since I can remember, all rippers that I've seen have had stops.
I had a B&M in my LS1 fbody, and I've felt other C5's. None of them compare to the stiffness this has.
Anyways, we'll try the lubrication.
Like I said, this isn't a point of a notchy shifter, but the reply up top about being a piece of rebar out of a concrete slab sounds about right (even w/o the exaggeration!).
Thanks
Mike
I had a B&M in my LS1 fbody, and I've felt other C5's. None of them compare to the stiffness this has.
Anyways, we'll try the lubrication.
Like I said, this isn't a point of a notchy shifter, but the reply up top about being a piece of rebar out of a concrete slab sounds about right (even w/o the exaggeration!).
Thanks
Mike
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Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
I would try changing the tranny fluid. Maybe put in some GM Synchromesh (semi synthetic).
Problem might be something to do with the clutch too. Does the car roll in gear with the clutch pushed in? Do you grind gears ever?
Dope
Problem might be something to do with the clutch too. Does the car roll in gear with the clutch pushed in? Do you grind gears ever?
Dope
