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Transmission problems?

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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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Default 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).
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 10:26 AM
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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.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:07 AM
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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.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by rjwoerheide
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.
nothing improves at all, always the same rubbery and notchy shifter and rock hard clutch...
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by bbudman
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.
seems to be pretty clean fluid... And at 17k, this should not be the reason I hope...
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:29 AM
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Default 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!
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by brookzie72
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!
sounds like a very reasonable explanation, reminds me of my old E30 M3 shifter bushings problems. I'll make sure to mention the shifter wear to the dealer.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by petermj
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).
Nothing you are describing sounds normal. It's good that you are bringing it in. Your '09 base and your '09 Z06 have the same tranmission and should have similar clutch feel and shifting characteristics.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 11:44 AM
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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.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by hiperf406
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.
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.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by talon90
Nothing you are describing sounds normal. It's good that you are bringing it in. Your '09 base and your '09 Z06 have the same tranmission and should have similar clutch feel and shifting characteristics.
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.
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