07 Base - Hard to shift into First / Reverse
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
07 Base - Hard to shift into First / Reverse
I searched this extensively, but came up with a lot of maybe as people had different issues from slipped linkages to broken gears.
My car is an 07 base, 22k miles. It's hard to shift into first starting out, and not possible to shift into reverse unless I stop completely, shift into another gear say 3rd for example then over to reverse it will go in on the first, or second try.
From what I read this is typical of air in the system perhaps.
My shifting experience in this car is not good to begin with, each gear is hard to engage and feels like it takes too much effort. I couldn't race the car if I wanted to because the trans just wont let you shift it quickly - seems you have to really push it into every gear.
Does this sound familiar to anybody? Is this a need to bleed issue? If so, are there any videos on this or how-to write ups?
Thanks in advance.
My car is an 07 base, 22k miles. It's hard to shift into first starting out, and not possible to shift into reverse unless I stop completely, shift into another gear say 3rd for example then over to reverse it will go in on the first, or second try.
From what I read this is typical of air in the system perhaps.
My shifting experience in this car is not good to begin with, each gear is hard to engage and feels like it takes too much effort. I couldn't race the car if I wanted to because the trans just wont let you shift it quickly - seems you have to really push it into every gear.
Does this sound familiar to anybody? Is this a need to bleed issue? If so, are there any videos on this or how-to write ups?
Thanks in advance.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 489
Likes: 21
From: Pasadena CA
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 218
I doubt its synchros if its only 1st and reverse. The synchros on 2nd are the ones that take the most abuse.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
The only fluid on the car I did not check, because I didn't even know this was possible.
I suppose this could be my problem! What the hell does one have to do to a car to get the clutch fluid to be this black!? They told me the owner was an old guy who never drove hard. I can't imagine this happened without driving hard!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Time for an education on the Corvette clutch system: 
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
This:
"
Even badly degraded, dirty clutch fluid can be substantially cleaned up in 10-20 reservoir changes. This takes less than an hour, costs less than $10 for fluid and a syringe, and doesn’t require a service visit. I recommend this protocol for clutches on cars with LS-X engines that see any form of aggressive driving. If you follow this protocol, you very likely will avoid clutch pedal issues. And that is a very important assurance, because the car’s performance depends on a properly operating clutch."
Gives me hope.
Mines so full of crap it's going to take at least 20 fluid changed back to back to get it clean. I am blown away that the dealer who sold me this car didn't even notice this.
Or did they? Hmm.
"
Even badly degraded, dirty clutch fluid can be substantially cleaned up in 10-20 reservoir changes. This takes less than an hour, costs less than $10 for fluid and a syringe, and doesn’t require a service visit. I recommend this protocol for clutches on cars with LS-X engines that see any form of aggressive driving. If you follow this protocol, you very likely will avoid clutch pedal issues. And that is a very important assurance, because the car’s performance depends on a properly operating clutch."
Gives me hope.
Mines so full of crap it's going to take at least 20 fluid changed back to back to get it clean. I am blown away that the dealer who sold me this car didn't even notice this.
Or did they? Hmm.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 842
Likes: 195
From: Binghamton, NY
Time for an education on the Corvette clutch system:
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 199
From: TX
Mine looks about the same, my brake fluid matched it. I've had the car about 2-months now I remember the salesman saying "When we get cars in we make sure everything is running well and replace anything that needs it." Riiiiight.
I had the brakes done yesterday and thanks to that article will be doing the same to the clutch this weekend.
I had the brakes done yesterday and thanks to that article will be doing the same to the clutch this weekend.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 42
From: Chestertown Maryland
I searched this extensively, but came up with a lot of maybe as people had different issues from slipped linkages to broken gears.
My car is an 07 base, 22k miles. It's hard to shift into first starting out, and not possible to shift into reverse unless I stop completely, shift into another gear say 3rd for example then over to reverse it will go in on the first, or second try.
From what I read this is typical of air in the system perhaps.
My shifting experience in this car is not good to begin with, each gear is hard to engage and feels like it takes too much effort. I couldn't race the car if I wanted to because the trans just wont let you shift it quickly - seems you have to really push it into every gear.
Does this sound familiar to anybody? Is this a need to bleed issue? If so, are there any videos on this or how-to write ups?
Thanks in advance.
My car is an 07 base, 22k miles. It's hard to shift into first starting out, and not possible to shift into reverse unless I stop completely, shift into another gear say 3rd for example then over to reverse it will go in on the first, or second try.
From what I read this is typical of air in the system perhaps.
My shifting experience in this car is not good to begin with, each gear is hard to engage and feels like it takes too much effort. I couldn't race the car if I wanted to because the trans just wont let you shift it quickly - seems you have to really push it into every gear.
Does this sound familiar to anybody? Is this a need to bleed issue? If so, are there any videos on this or how-to write ups?
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
All is well, I flushed it 27 times in a row, now it's as close to "clean" as it will ever be I suppose. The reverse gear engages like butter now. First gear engages easier, and the rest of the gears require less effort and don't feel forced. I guess this bad fluid really does cause the clutch not to disengage fully in some cases. What a design flaw... crazy.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Algonquin IL
I was experiencing the same problem with my '06, particularly when the car was cold. Based on this thread, I did this "Ranger" procedure just three times and found a major improvement in smoothness of shifting. The fluid, although not perfect, looks much cleaner, and there's a lot less resistance during shift and smoother performance.
I'll do a few more change cycles, but even a few fluid swaps have made a big difference.
I'll do a few more change cycles, but even a few fluid swaps have made a big difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
The best solution is to have a bleed extention installed to make it a simple job, then you can bleed the clutch from the top...
...WW