Transmission problems?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Transmission problems?
09 base with 17k and truly aweful manual tranny. Not only cannot shift the gears in a hurry but when I shift, switching the gears requires pretty decent physical effort and super easy to grind gears. The shifter feels rubbery and notchy, the clutch pedal super tough as well, you really gotta press on it. Is this normal? My 09 Z06 tranny and clutch feel so way different, you can shift gears with one finger, no grinding and clutch effort is next to none. This supposed to be the same tranny on both, why are they so different and is there anything wrong with my base? I already made an appointment with the dealer for the broken door strikers and will have them look at this but just wondering if this is something normal (I honestly cannot feel any improvement from my old 07, in fact the opposite).
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Clayton North Carolina
Are these not some of the symptoms people describe relating to dirty clutch fluid? You might want to open the hood and take a look at yours. Also, do a search on the forum since there is a post related to replacing the fluid.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 1
From: Webster Groves (St. Louis) MO
Does the shift feel improve once the transmission is at operating temps? My 1-2 and 2-3 are stiff when the tranny is cold, but once things are up to temp everything is super smooth.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
nothing improves at all, always the same rubbery and notchy shifter and rock hard clutch...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
seems to be pretty clean fluid... And at 17k, this should not be the reason I hope...
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sicklerville NJ
Shifting issues
I'm no expert but on the shifter fork there are plastic sleeves that wear causing crappy shifting that you are experiencing. In my case, I bought my car used (1st vette) and didn't know the difference as it was crappy shifting from the beginning. Since these sleeves were worn it was sloppy shifting and eventually caused the synchro for 6th gear to go (and the gear itself). I just got everything replaced under warranty. This is what the dealer informed me anyway.
I did some searches and found that these plastic sleeves going bad are quite common and even read a thread where someone made them in brass if memory serves me correctly. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it before you have more extensive (and costly) problems like I did. Good luck!
I did some searches and found that these plastic sleeves going bad are quite common and even read a thread where someone made them in brass if memory serves me correctly. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it before you have more extensive (and costly) problems like I did. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
I'm no expert but on the shifter fork there are plastic sleeves that wear causing crappy shifting that you are experiencing. In my case, I bought my car used (1st vette) and didn't know the difference as it was crappy shifting from the beginning. Since these sleeves were worn it was sloppy shifting and eventually caused the synchro for 6th gear to go (and the gear itself). I just got everything replaced under warranty. This is what the dealer informed me anyway.
I did some searches and found that these plastic sleeves going bad are quite common and even read a thread where someone made them in brass if memory serves me correctly. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it before you have more extensive (and costly) problems like I did. Good luck!
I did some searches and found that these plastic sleeves going bad are quite common and even read a thread where someone made them in brass if memory serves me correctly. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it before you have more extensive (and costly) problems like I did. Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 166
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
09 base with 17k and truly aweful manual tranny. Not only cannot shift the gears in a hurry but when I shift, switching the gears requires pretty decent physical effort and super easy to grind gears. The shifter feels rubbery and notchy, the clutch pedal super tough as well, you really gotta press on it. Is this normal? My 09 Z06 tranny and clutch feel so way different, you can shift gears with one finger, no grinding and clutch effort is next to none. This supposed to be the same tranny on both, why are they so different and is there anything wrong with my base? I already made an appointment with the dealer for the broken door strikers and will have them look at this but just wondering if this is something normal (I honestly cannot feel any improvement from my old 07, in fact the opposite).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 92
From: Suppliers of dirty oil for 50 years Oilberta/ In Mex enjoying the winter.
St. Jude Donor '11
My 11 GS w/ 7200 mi.grinds going 1-2, 2-3 if I don't pause after pushing in the clutch. Seems to improve a little when it warms up but still not right need to get in to check out. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
This is exactly what mine does as well. Then, if you do not engage the clutch carefully, there is a rubber band effect that can be felt.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
we shall see what the dealer says, they consider many things normal. Good thing I at least have another car to compare, one I bought from them brand new.
